Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Kaguya takes Jiu Ming to a high-rise restaurant where a young lady's birthday party is being held.
• They discover stone flowers and bees on the roof, which Kaguya believes could be from the 'Gate'.
• Kaguya uses her time manipulation ability to freeze time and sneak into the party with Jiu Ming.
• They plan to change into waiter uniforms to blend in, but Kaguya only has an evening gown for herself and a less flattering outfit for Jiu Ming.

Character Developments

• Kaguya shows curiosity and interest in the stone flowers and the 'Gate'.
• Jiu Ming is cautious about Kaguya's impulsive decisions but goes along with her plans.
• Kaguya teases Jiu Ming about his lack of fashion sense.

Significant Themes

• The power of Kaguya's time manipulation ability and its potential consequences.
• The mystery of the 'Gate' and its influence on the world.
• The dynamic between Kaguya and Jiu Ming, with Kaguya leading and Jiu Ming following, despite his reservations.

Character Interactions

• Kaguya and Jiu Ming's banter and playful teasing continue, showing a growing comfort and familiarity with each other.
• Kaguya's impulsive nature contrasts with Jiu Ming's caution, leading to a dynamic where they balance each other out.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Kaguya and Jiu Ming infiltrate a high-class event, with Kaguya using her power to conceal their presence.
• They encounter Li Shunsheng, a former employee of Jiu Ming's bar, and Misaki Kirihara, a policewoman.
• Jiu Ming and Kaguya engage in casual conversation, with Kaguya revealing she used to be a princess in the Lunar Capital.
• Jiu Ming senses tension in the atmosphere and suspects an impending rebellion.
• Kaguya leads Jiu Ming to the top floor, where they witness two women entering a glass room filled with stone flowers.

Character Developments

• Kaguya: Reveals her past as a princess, displays confidence in her abilities, and shows familiarity with high-class events.
• Jiu Ming: Demonstrates keen intuition about the event's atmosphere, shows curiosity about Kaguya's knowledge, and expresses concern about Kaguya's greed.
• Li Shunsheng: Recognizes Jiu Ming and Kaguya, feels troubled by their presence, and tries to approach them discreetly.
• Misaki Kirihara: Recognizes Jiu Ming, suspects his true identity, and tries to approach him discreetly.

Significant Themes

• Acting and deception: Characters use acting skills to blend in and hide their true intentions.
• Greed: Kaguya's interest in the stone flowers highlights the theme of greed.
• Intuition vs. knowledge: Jiu Ming relies on his intuition, while Kaguya uses her knowledge to anticipate events.

Character Interactions

• Kaguya and Jiu Ming: They work together to infiltrate the event, engage in casual conversation, and share their observations about the situation.
• Jiu Ming and Li Shunsheng/Misaki Kirihara: Both characters try to approach Jiu Ming discreetly but are ignored, highlighting Jiu Ming's ability to maintain his cover.
• Kaguya and the two women: Although not directly interacting, Kaguya and Jiu Ming observe the two women entering the glass room filled with stone flowers, hinting at potential conflict or intrigue.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Kaguya and Jiu Ming attend a birthday banquet, where they encounter a Stone Flower.
• A dispute between Misaki Kirihara and another young lady turns violent, ending with a power outage.
• Kaguya and Jiu Ming evade security, exploring the building and encountering guards.
• They are cornered but escape through a wall, leaving behind a confused waiter (Saito) and a hidden Misaki Kirihara.

Character Developments

• Kaguya shows curiosity about the Stone Flower but remains calm and collected under pressure.
• Jiu Ming demonstrates strength and agility, kicking through a wall to escape.
• Misaki Kirihara is revealed to be hiding in a dining cart with Saito.

Significant Themes

• Contention and scheming, as hinted at by Kaguya's past and her current actions.
• The consequences of choices, as seen in Misaki Kirihara's situation and Kaguya's regret about Reisen not being present.

Character Interactions

• Kaguya and Jiu Ming work together to evade capture, showing a level of trust and understanding.
• Kaguya teases Jiu Ming about his feelings for Reisen, and they discuss the Watatsuki Sisters' influence on her.
• Saito and Misaki Kirihara encounter each other, with Misaki expressing concern about Li Shunsheng's whereabouts.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiu Ming and Kaguya observe a battle between two Contractors (Hei and another man) from a distance.
• Jiu Ming correctly predicts that Hei will win the fight.
• Upon returning home, they find Amber and Britta, with Amber revealing her ability to predict and control time, and mentioning she'll be relocating to Tokyo soon.

Character Developments

• Jiu Ming shows indifference to the battle, confident in Hei's victory.
• Kaguya displays knowledge about Contractors and conspiracies.
• Amber shows maturity and understanding of her ability's consequences.
• Britta is introduced as Amber's representative in the future.

Significant Themes

• The power and consequences of predictive abilities.
• The nature of Contractor abilities and their variety.
• The theme of relocation and change, as Amber plans to move to Tokyo.

Character Interactions

• Jiu Ming and Kaguya interact casually, with Jiu Ming showing a rare moment of discomfort when seeing Amber and Britta undressed.
• Amber and Britta display a close, affectionate relationship.
• Jiu Ming and Amber discuss her ability, with Jiu Ming expressing curiosity and caution about its use.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Kaguya and Jiu Ming discuss the moon's reappearance and its implications.
• Kaguya brings Silver (Gin) to the bar, where they meet Kurozawa Kai and his employer, who are searching for Gin.
• Gin reveals that one of the people searching for her is her former piano teacher.

Character Developments

• Kaguya shows interest in Gin's past, hinting at her curiosity about the girl's history.
• Gin shows signs of remembering her past, mentioning that someone is chasing her and that one of the searchers is her teacher.
• Jiu Ming remains protective of Gin, excluding her from the emotional influence of the bar and ensuring her safety.

Significant Themes

• The power of memories and the truth behind them, as seen through Gin's vague recollections.
• The consequences of manipulating time and reality, as discussed by Kaguya and Jiu Ming regarding the moon's reappearance.

Character Interactions

• Kaguya and Jiu Ming continue their banter, with Kaguya teasing Jiu Ming about not knowing Gin's real name.
• Gin interacts with Kaguya and Jiu Ming, showing signs of opening up to them despite her initial reticence.
• Kurozawa Kai and his employer search for Gin, leading to a confrontation at the bar.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiu Ming saves Yin from being captured by an Observer Spirit.
• Isaac, a Contractee, tries to retrieve the Observer Spirit but fails.
• Li Shunsheng arrives at the bar, and Hei and Mao decide to join them.
• Eris, a foreign man, arrives and wants to take Yin back to her homeland.
• Yin refuses to go back, causing Eris to insist and try to convince her.
• Huang, watching from a distance, orders Yin's elimination if she leaks intelligence.

Character Developments

• Jiu Ming demonstrates his extraordinary abilities by capturing the Observer Spirit with his bare hands.
• Yin shows signs of emotion, unusual for a doll, when faced with Eris's proposal.
• Li Shunsheng and Hei (in cat form) both notice Yin's emotional state and the strange atmosphere in the bar.
• Eris reveals his ignorance about Contractors and their nature.

Significant Themes

• The consequences of good intentions gone wrong (as highlighted by the cat's comment).
• The struggle between Yin's past and present identities.
• The potential danger Yin faces if she leaks intelligence.

Character Interactions

• Jiu Ming interacts with Yin and Kaguya, showing concern for their safety.
• Li Shunsheng and Hei (in cat form) discuss Yin's emotional state and the strange atmosphere in the bar.
• Eris interacts with Yin, trying to convince her to return to her homeland.
• Huang watches from a distance, issuing orders regarding Yin's potential threat to the organization.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiu Ming finds an Observation Spirit in his water glass, which seems to like staying with him.
• Bombing incidents increase in the city, but Jiu Ming is uninterested.
• Amber summons Jiu Ming to a shrine, where Li Shunsheng is severely injured.
• Jiu Ming uses his ability to freeze time, stopping Li Shunsheng, Misaki Kirihara, and Silver.
• Amber asks Jiu Ming to help find and restore 'White,' who is inside Li Shunsheng's body.

Character Developments

• Jiu Ming shows his ability to control time and expresses willingness to help find White.
• Amber reveals her affection for Li Shunsheng and her knowledge of White's situation.
• Li Shunsheng's hatred and complicated feelings towards Amber are revealed.

Significant Themes

• The power of Contractors and their abilities.
• The consequences of using powers and the importance of paying prices.
• The theme of love and obsession, as seen in Amber's feelings for Li Shunsheng.

Character Interactions

• Jiu Ming and Amber discuss White's situation and Amber's desire to help Li Shunsheng.
• Jiu Ming shows indifference towards the bombing incidents, contrasting with Amber's concern.
• Li Shunsheng's hatred and Amber's affection are evident in their interaction.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiu Ming meets Amber, who gives him a Meteor Fragment that amplifies Contractor abilities.
• Jiu Ming learns that Amber has vague fragments of the future but is unsure about them.
• Kaguya suggests forming an organization, but Jiu Ming declines.
• Mai Kashiwagi expresses concern about Jiu Ming's future, but he reassures her that he's not worried.

Character Developments

• Amber: Reveals she has future knowledge but is unsure about it. She wants to use Jiu Ming to achieve certain goals.
• Jiu Ming: Shows confidence in his abilities and reassures Mai Kashiwagi about his future.
• Kaguya: Displays her pride and lack of concern for her future, relying on her beauty and Eirin's support.

Significant Themes

• The power of knowledge about the future and its limitations.
• The consequences of standing out and attracting attention from various factions.
• The importance of confidence and self-assurance in facing uncertain futures.

Character Interactions

• Jiu Ming and Amber: They discuss the future and Amber's goals, with Jiu Ming being cautious and Amber being mysterious.
• Jiu Ming and Kaguya: They argue playfully about forming an organization and living off Eirin.
• Jiu Ming and Mai Kashiwagi: Mai expresses concern for Jiu Ming's future, and he reassures her about his abilities.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Mai Kashiwagi decides not to return to school due to her past mistakes.
• Li Shunsheng and Kenji Sakurai visit the bar, with Kenji showing interest in the food and Kaguya.
• Kaguya arrives at the bar due to an unknown disturbance at her residence.
• Kenji Sakurai offers to drive Li Shunsheng home, expressing jealousy over Kaguya's relationship with Jiu Ming.

Character Developments

• Mai Kashiwagi shows remorse for her past actions and their consequences.
• Kenji Sakurai displays jealousy and possessiveness over Kaguya.
• Kaguya demonstrates her ability to control wooden objects and expresses exhaustion from lack of sleep.

Significant Themes

• The consequences of past actions and the difficulty of moving on (Mai Kashiwagi).
• Jealousy and possessiveness (Kenji Sakurai).
• The impact of supernatural abilities on daily life (Kaguya).

Character Interactions

• Jiu Ming and Mai Kashiwagi have a casual conversation about school.
• Jiu Ming, Li Shunsheng, Kenji Sakurai, Mai Kashiwagi, and Kaguya share a meal at the bar.
• Kenji Sakurai expresses his desire to meet a beautiful woman like Kaguya.
• Jiu Ming and Kaguya discuss her ability and sleeping habits.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The team learns that another Contractor is handling the blade issue.
• Kaguya and Jiu Ming go shopping; Kaguya drags Jiu Ming into a lingerie shop.
• Li Shunsheng is also shopping there, buying women's clothing and wigs.
• Kaguya notices that the sunspots are worsening.

Character Developments

• Kaguya shows interest in modern clothing and shopping.
• Jiu Ming feels conflicted and awkward in the lingerie shop but tries to hide it.
• Li Shunsheng maintains his composure while shopping for women's clothing, likely for a client.
• Kaguya and Jiu Ming discuss the possibility of the sun being fake or isolated.

Significant Themes

• The impact of modern culture and consumerism on Kaguya.
• The tension and awkwardness of Jiu Ming and Li Shunsheng in the lingerie shop.
• The mystery of the worsening sunspots and the potential isolation of Earth.

Character Interactions

• Kaguya drags Jiu Ming into the lingerie shop, forcing him to interact with Li Shunsheng and Misaki Kirihara.
• Jiu Ming and Li Shunsheng awkwardly interact, with Li Shunsheng trying to maintain his composure.
• Kaguya and Jiu Ming discuss the state of the sun and their powers.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiu Ming and Kaguya go to the beach, with Mai Kashiwagi accompanying them.
• Kaguya asks Jiu Ming to apply sunscreen on her, but he declines.
• They are approached by enthusiastic aunties promoting a religious organization called "Heaven's Gate Love Society."
• Kaguya expresses interest in visiting the organization's headquarters.

Character Developments

• Jiu Ming shows self-awareness and restraint in his emotions, which Kaguya finds boring.
• Kaguya displays knowledge about various topics, surprising Jiu Ming.
• Mai Kashiwagi remains quiet and uninvolved throughout the chapter.

Significant Themes

• The accumulation of years and wisdom.
• The contrast between Kaguya's carefree attitude and her hidden knowledge.
• The tension between Jiu Ming and Kaguya's relationship, with Kaguya wanting more "improper thoughts" from Jiu Ming.

Character Interactions

• Jiu Ming and Kaguya's playful banter continues, with Kaguya teasing Jiu Ming about his lack of improper thoughts.
• Mai Kashiwagi remains mostly silent, observing the interactions between Jiu Ming and Kaguya.
• The aunties' enthusiasm contrasts with Jiu Ming and Kaguya's calm demeanor, highlighting the difference in their worlds.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Kaguya and Jiu Ming investigate a cult led by a Contractor disguised as an old woman.
• They discover the cult leader's true identity and her Contract ability to change appearance.
• Jiu Ming and Kaguya meet the cult leader, Alma, who reveals her dream and impending death.

Character Developments

• Kaguya shows curiosity and interest in Alma's dream and the cult.
• Jiu Ming displays empathy and understanding towards Alma's situation.
• Li Shunsheng is revealed to have a complex relationship with his sister, influencing his actions.

Significant Themes

• The difference between Contractors and ordinary people, and the difficulty in reconciling them.
• The consequences of Contract abilities and their prices.
• The power of dreams and the regret of unfulfilled aspirations.

Character Interactions

• Kaguya and Jiu Ming work together, exploring the cult and interacting with its leader.
• Kaguya teases Jiu Ming about Li Shunsheng's apparent dislike for him.
• Alma shares her dream and fears with Jiu Ming, showing vulnerability despite her Contractor status.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiu Ming meets Alma, a Contractor who wants to become an ordinary person. He offers her a deal to regain her youth in exchange for giving up her Contract ability.
• Kaguya borrows Jiu Ming's Contract ability to transform, but he takes a photo of her as Eirin Yagokoro, threatening to expose it if she doesn't cooperate.
• Misaki Kirihara visits Jiu Ming's bar, seeking information about Evening Primrose and BK201.

Character Developments

• Alma decides to give up her Contract ability to regain her youth.
• Kaguya shows her playful and mischievous side, trying to bargain with Jiu Ming.
• Misaki Kirihara is overworked and seeks Jiu Ming's help regarding recent events.

Significant Themes

• Sacrifice and gain: Alma sacrifices her Contract ability to regain her youth.
• Manipulation and blackmail: Jiu Ming uses Kaguya's fear of exposure to manipulate her.
• Trust and friendship: Misaki Kirhara trusts Jiu Ming enough to seek his help.

Character Interactions

• Jiu Ming and Alma: They discuss Alma's desire to become an ordinary person, and Jiu Ming offers her a deal.
• Jiu Ming and Kaguya: They engage in playful banter, with Jiu Ming threatening to expose Kaguya's transformation to tease her.
• Misaki Kirhara and Jiu Ming: They discuss recent events, with Misaki seeking Jiu Ming's help regarding Evening Primrose and BK201.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Misaki Kirihara visits the bar, questioning Jiu Ming about his connection to Li Shunsheng.
• Jack Simon, an old customer, visits and asks Jiu Ming about his allegiance.
• Jiu Ming catches Kaguya trying to frame him for a night raid on Mai Kashiwagi's room.

Character Developments

• Misaki Kirihara is still suspicious of Jiu Ming's past.
• Jack Simon is curious about Jiu Ming's loyalties.
• Kaguya's mischievous behavior escalates, showing her boredom and desire for entertainment.

Significant Themes

• Trust and suspicion, as seen in Misaki Kirihara's interrogation of Jiu Ming.
• The consequences of meddling in others' lives, as demonstrated by Kaguya's attempt to frame Jiu Ming.

Character Interactions

• Misaki Kirihara and Jiu Ming engage in a tense conversation about Li Shunsheng.
• Jack Simon and Jiu Ming have a casual, yet probing, conversation.
• Jiu Ming confronts Kaguya about her mischief, leading to a tense standoff with Mai Kashiwagi.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiu Ming and Mai Kashiwagi have a tense interaction over the alloy keyboard.
• Jiu Ming receives a message from Black, leading him to meet with the Contractors group.
• Black and Yellow have a disagreement about how to handle Huang's situation.
• Jiu Ming offers to help Huang by creating a substitute for Shihoko.

Character Developments

• Jiu Ming shows a playful side, teasing the Contractors.
• Huang reveals his concern for Shihoko and his determination to protect her.
• Black shows hesitation in helping Huang, indicating his loyalty to the organization.

Significant Themes

• The struggle between loyalty and personal desires (Black, Huang).
• The value of life and the willingness to sacrifice for others (Huang, Shihoko).
• The power of deception and manipulation (Jiu Ming's plan).

Character Interactions

• Jiu Ming and the Contractors group: Jiu Ming teases and manipulates the group, showing his superiority and lack of fear.
• Black and Yellow: They have a disagreement about how to handle Huang's situation, showing their differing priorities.
• Huang and Shihoko: Huang shows his concern and determination to protect Shihoko, while she trusts him implicitly.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Huang shoots a false humanoid of Shihoko to deceive the organization.
• Shihoko, still conscious in the humanoid, returns to her true body and decides to stay with the organization to help Hei.
• Huang and Shihoko argue about her staying, with Huang insisting she leave for her safety.
• Jiu Ming helps Shihoko change her appearance using a contract ability.
• Kaguya's game is interrupted by Jiu Ming cutting the power, leading to a physical altercation between them.

Character Developments

• Huang struggles with the moral implications of shooting a false Shihoko but ultimately follows through with the plan.
• Shihoko remains determined to help Hei, despite the risks.
• Huang shows concern for Shihoko's safety and well-being.
• Jiu Ming demonstrates his ability to manipulate contract abilities for others.
• Kaguya's aggressive response to Jiu Ming's prank highlights her competitive and confrontational nature.

Significant Themes

• The moral complexities of deception and sacrifice for a greater cause (Huang shooting the false Shihoko).
• The importance of personal choice and determination in the face of danger (Shihoko's decision to stay and help Hei).
• The consequences of one's actions on others (Jiu Ming's prank leading to Kaguya's aggressive retaliation).

Character Interactions

• Huang and Shihoko's argument showcases their differing views on the best course of action, with Huang prioritizing Shihoko's safety and Shihoko focused on helping Hei.
• Jiu Ming and Shihoko's interaction highlights Jiu Ming's willingness to help others, even with potentially risky contract abilities.
• Kaguya and Jiu Ming's altercation emphasizes their competitive and confrontational dynamic, with Kaguya's aggressive response to Jiu Ming's prank.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiu Ming and Kaguya have a playful argument about trust and promises.
• Kaguya drags Jiu Ming to an arcade and later a comic convention.
• Jiu Ming helps Li Shunsheng find his missing sister, Bai, using his power.

Character Developments

• Jiu Ming shows a more playful and casual side with Kaguya.
• Kaguya displays her competitive nature and enjoyment in gaming.
• Li Shunsheng shows concern for his sister and trusts Jiu Ming enough to ask for his help.

Significant Themes

• Trust and honesty in relationships (Jiu Ming and Kaguya, Jiu Ming and Li Shunsheng).
• The power of memories and connections (Jiu Ming's ability to manifest people from his memories).

Character Interactions

• Jiu Ming and Kaguya: Playful banter, mutual understanding, and shared enjoyment of activities.
• Jiu Ming and Li Shunsheng: Trust and mutual respect, with Li Shunsheng seeking Jiu Ming's help to find his sister.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Shunsheng attempts to contact his sister using a humanoid created by Jiu Ming, but she doesn't respond.
• Jiu Ming and Kaguya discuss the situation, with Kaguya guessing that Li Shunsheng's sister has a reason for not meeting him.
• Jiu Ming and Kaguya go to a festival, where they encounter a group of black-robed figures who seem to have a grudge against Jiu Ming.
• Kaguya expresses that the black-robed figures could make decent cannon fodder, showing her pride and disregard for weaker beings.

Character Developments

• Li Shunsheng's hopes of meeting his sister are dashed, leading to disappointment.
• Jiu Ming remains calm and collected throughout the events, showing no strong emotional reaction.
• Kaguya displays her pride and lack of consideration for weaker beings, hinting at her ingrained habits from her time as a moon person.

Significant Themes

• The struggle between hope and disappointment, as seen in Li Shunsheng's attempt to contact his sister.
• The pride and disregard for weaker beings, as shown by Kaguya's comments about the black-robed figures.

Character Interactions

• Jiu Ming and Kaguya's banter and teasing continue, with Kaguya provoking Jiu Ming and Jiu Ming responding in kind.
• The black-robed figures seem to have a grudge against Jiu Ming, leading to tension between them and Jiu Ming.

Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiu Ming and Mai Kashiwagi are surrounded by military forces.
• Jiu Ming uses his ability to freeze the soldiers and offers them a deal: give up one-fifth of their lives in exchange for not being killed.
• They return to their residence, which is also surrounded. Jiu Ming repeats his deal with the new batch of soldiers.
• Britta appears and offers to pay Jiu Ming's contract price.

Character Developments

• Jiu Ming demonstrates his ability to freeze and control people, showing his power and ruthlessness.
• Mai Kashiwagi witnesses Jiu Ming's abilities and starts to accept his unscientific Worldview.
• Britta shows concern for Jiu Ming's safety and willingness to help him.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics and the consequences of using power.
• The acceptance of the unscientific and extraordinary.
• The cost of using abilities and the price of contracts.

Character Interactions

• Jiu Ming and Mai Kashiwagi: Jiu Ming protects Mai Kashiwagi and shows her his abilities. Mai Kashiwagi accepts Jiu Ming's Worldview.
• Jiu Ming and the soldiers: Jiu Ming uses his power to force the soldiers into submission and offers them a deal.
• Jiu Ming and Britta: Britta shows concern for Jiu Ming and offers to pay his contract price. Jiu Ming teases Britta and offers her a part of his face.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiu Ming's house is blown up by a rocket attack.
• Mai Kashiwagi, who had been sleeping at the mansion, is present but unnoticed.
• Jiu Ming freezes the attacking soldiers and offers them a choice: lose three-tenths of their lives or face permanent damage from the ice.
• Jiu Ming and Kaguya discuss the situation, and Kaguya suggests being more brutal to resolve it.

Character Developments

• Mai Kashiwagi shows restraint and chooses not to start a fire, demonstrating growth in self-control.
• Kaguya expresses her displeasure with Jiu Ming's handling of the situation but understands his reasons.

Significant Themes

• The consequences of one's actions and the importance of taking responsibility.
• The struggle between personal freedom and the control of those in power.

Character Interactions

• Jiu Ming and Kaguya's dynamic shows a mix of banter, understanding, and mutual respect.
• Mai Kashiwagi's interaction with Jiu Ming demonstrates her growing trust in him, as she follows his advice not to start a fire.