EPISODE CONTEXT

Episode 40 pivots away from the previous episode's focus on the girls' inter-high tournament and brings the spotlight squarely back to Kyosuke's central storyline, marking a critical turning point in the back third of the series. His return to the team is positioned as the launchpad for the regional tournament arc, where his availability and form will be decisive for Akanegaoka's prospects. With twelve episodes remaining, this installment functions as the emotional reset that propels the team — and the narrative — toward the series' climactic competitive stretch.