Chapter Summaries

Huang Zhetian played a flute piece that stirred painful memories in Asuka and Shinji, then gave Shinji the sheet music. The group went to the swimming pool, where teasing about romance left Rei Ayanami quietly wondering what it meant to be liked by Shinji.

• Huang Zhetian's flute performance brought back memories of Yui for Shinji and of her mother for Asuka, who secretly cried.
• Huang Zhetian teased Asuka about her red eyes, and she denied crying before storming away.
• Shinji asked who composed the piece, and Huang Zhetian gave him a copy of the sheet music.
• Huang Zhetian teased Asuka at the swimming pool and she kicked him, while Shinji helped him up.
• Huang Zhetian accused Shinji of liking Rei Ayanami, and Shinji hurriedly denied it.
• Rei Ayanami heard their conversation, wondered whether Shinji liked her, and felt warm at the thought.

Huang Zhetian and Asuka joked together by the pool while Shinji and Rei Ayanami talked nearby. At the volcano, Misato’s probe detected an Angel Embryo, and she ordered the research site sealed and its discovery kept secret.

• Asuka helped Huang Zhetian solve a physics problem, then teased him about thermal expansion and demanded he cook her something delicious.
• Huang Zhetian and Asuka noticed Shinji handing Rei Ayanami a towel and joked about Shinji’s interest in her.
• Huang Zhetian invited Shinji to take a walk outside with them.
• Misato ordered the probe lowered deeper into the magma despite damage to its pressure-resistant bulkhead.
• The probe detected Pattern Blue before the magma’s pressure crushed it.
• Misato identified the image as an Angel Embryo and ordered the site sealed under NERV control, with the past six hours classified as top secret.

Gendo Ikari secured approval for the A-17 Directive to capture a living Angel, and Asuka prepared to pilot Unit-02 on the mission. Huang Zhetian saw a warning that Asuka might need rescuing as the team readied to depart.

• Gendo Ikari won tacit approval from the committee to issue the A-17 Directive and capture the Angel alive for its S2 Core.
• Akagi briefed Shinji, Asuka, and Rei Ayanami on the capture mission, and Asuka eagerly claimed Unit-02 as her assignment.
• Akagi told Rei Ayanami and Unit-00 to remain at headquarters while Shinji, Unit-01, and the Special Unit waited above for orders.
• Asuka complained about the bulky Type-D Equipment, then agreed to pilot Unit-02 after Rei Ayanami offered to take her place.
• Huang Zhetian checked his mission panel, which listed rescuing Asuka as a bonus objective, and warned that the mission looked dangerous.

Asuka piloted Unit-02 into the volcano to investigate the Angel, but it began hatching far earlier than expected. Huang Zhetian and Shinji pulled Unit-02 out before it was destroyed, and Asuka warned that the Angel was rising.

• Misato prepared the units and support equipment at the volcano while Asuka asked where Kaji was; Kaji was elsewhere discussing NERV’s A-17 Directive with a woman.
• Akagi explained that the UN fighters were waiting to destroy the Angel and NERV with N² Missiles if the operation failed, then said Commander Ikari had ordered it.
• Asuka rode Unit-02 into the magma, but the Angel began hatching early, prompting Huang Zhetian to suspect Gendo Ikari was accelerating events.
• Huang Zhetian used his psychic power and sensed Gendo Ikari and Fuyutsuki two kilometers from the volcano as they discussed their plans and the race against time.
• When the Angel attacked Unit-02, Huang Zhetian and Shinji hauled it out of the magma; Asuka survived and warned that the Angel was coming up.

Huang Zhetian and the other Evas defeated the fully hatched Angel by forcing an N² Missile into its mouth, but Huang lost a foot to escape its grasp. The Angel and volcano were destroyed, and Huang passed out after the system confirmed his mission reward.

• Misato learned that NERV could not call off the bombing and ordered the team to hold the line while the evacuation proceeded.
• Huang Zhetian converted his Eva for flight, destroyed the fighter carrying the N² Missile, and seized the weapon as the military retreated.
• Huang Zhetian, Shinji, and Asuka coordinated their Evas to neutralize the Angel's A.T. Field and force the missile into its mouth.
• The Angel caught Huang's Eva with a tentacle, so Huang cut off its foot and let Shinji and Asuka drag him to safety.
• The N² Missile and the Angel's core exploded, destroying the volcano and burying the three Evas in ash.
• The system confirmed Huang's mission reward of 7,000 points, and Huang passed out as his cockpit lost power.

Huang Zhetian woke in the NERV hospital after the Angel battle and learned that Asuka had cooked for him. At school, Shinji met transfer student Mana Kirishima, while Gendo Ikari and Fuyutsuki discussed the operation and its implications for their plans.

• Huang Zhetian regained consciousness at NERV Headquarters, and a nurse confirmed that his condition was stable.
• Misato brought Huang Zhetian lunch made by Asuka and Shinji, then told him that the new transfer student was Mana Kirishima.
• At school, Shinji was teased by Asuka, Toji, and Kensuke for spending time with Mana, until Hikari stopped them.
• Asuka and Shinji received Huang Zhetian’s message saying he felt better and would cook for them that evening.
• Fuyutsuki told Gendo Ikari that SEELE and the United Nations criticized the risky Angel operation, while Gendo said Huang Zhetian’s actions advanced their scenario.

Huang Zhetian heard Asuka and Shinji describe a huge experimental military machine and Shinji’s new classmate, Mana Kirishima, whom he recognized from a PSP game. At NERV, Gendo Ikari left the machine to the Military and told Fuyutsuki to leave the Military personnel alone unless they threatened NERV’s interests.

• Asuka told Huang Zhetian that she and Shinji had seen a gigantic flying machine and its heavy footprints after it battled the Military.
• Shinji described transfer student Mana Kirishima, prompting Asuka to attack him for admiring another girl.
• Huang Zhetian recognized Mana’s name from the game My Iron Girlfriend and proposed meeting her, but Asuka kicked him and sent him and Shinji to make dinner.
• Misato reported that the Military’s experimental machine could attack on land, at sea, and in the air, and Gendo Ikari ordered NERV to leave it to the Military.
• Fuyutsuki told Gendo that the machine’s pilot had arrived at NERV and two others were missing, but Gendo said to leave them alone unless they interfered with NERV.

Huang Zhetian and Shinji made lunches before Huang and Asuka found a massive footprint on their way to school, which Huang suspected came from a military weapon. At school, Mana Kirishima invited Shinji on a weekend outing and then asked Huang to join; Asuka claimed Huang already had a date with her and dragged him away.

• Huang Zhetian and Shinji packed lunches for five, including one for Kaji, while Asuka teased them in the kitchen.
• Huang Zhetian and Asuka discovered a huge footprint inside a cordoned-off area, and Huang suspected it belonged to a humanoid military weapon from a game he remembered.
• Huang Zhetian introduced himself to Mana Kirishima and teased Shinji about calling her cute, making Shinji blush and deny it.
• Mana invited Shinji to go out with her that weekend, and Shinji eagerly agreed.
• Mana also invited Huang Zhetian to join them, but Asuka said she already had a date with him and dragged him out of the classroom.

Huang Zhetian learned that Asuka had agreed to go on a weekend date with him and bought outfits for them through the system. He prepared dinner for Asuka, excited about the date ahead.

• Asuka confirmed that she would go on a date with Huang Zhetian and ordered him to accompany her to the mall that night.
• Huang Zhetian decided to help Asuka outshine Mana and spent over 4,000 Practice Points on a qipao for her.
• Huang Zhetian bought a plain men's robe for himself, preserving some Practice Points for later.
• Huang Zhetian put away his photos of Asuka and cooked dinner while eagerly anticipating their date.
• Asuka saw Huang Zhetian cooking, briefly smiled, then asked him to hurry up and make her fresh, chilled orange juice.

Shinji worried over what he had seen Mana doing with Musashi and struggled to decide whether to trust her or confront her. Huang Zhetian gave Asuka an antique Qipao for their date the next day, and Shinji regained some confidence by remembering his own date with Mana.

• At dinner, Asuka and Huang Zhetian urged Shinji to stop apologizing and form opinions of his own, while he kept worrying about Mana.
• Huang Zhetian mentioned Shinji's date with Mana the next day, and Asuka punched him for bringing her up.
• Huang Zhetian revealed an embroidered Qipao and an Oil-Paper Umbrella he had brought from China.
• Huang Zhetian gave Asuka the Qipao as a gift for their date, and she happily asked where they would go.
• Asuka looked forward to the date as she admired the Qipao in her room, while Shinji's confidence returned when he remembered his date with Mana.

Shinji left to meet Mana while Huang Zhetian and Asuka prepared to go on a date. Asuka and Huang Zhetian set out together, holding hands beneath an umbrella.

• Misato and Huang Zhetian reacted to Shinji's greasy hairstyle, and Misato fixed his hair and makeup.
• Shinji left to meet Mana, and Misato departed for work after wishing Asuka and Huang Zhetian a good date.
• Asuka changed into a qipao and white stockings, while Huang Zhetian dressed in a Republican-era-style robe.
• Asuka planned to visit an amusement park, watch a movie, and go to the hot springs with Huang Zhetian.
• Asuka linked arms with Huang Zhetian, rested her head on his shoulder, and set off on their date beneath his umbrella.

Huang Zhetian and Asuka spent a happy day together at an amusement park, and Asuka told him he made her feel safe. As her gentle smile deepened his feelings, Shinji’s dinner with Mana was also growing more intimate.

• Huang Zhetian and Asuka entered the amusement park together, and he worried that SEELE or Gendo Ikari might exploit his closeness to her.
• Asuka scolded Huang Zhetian for zoning out during their date, and he led her into the Ferris wheel cabin.
• Asuka asked Huang Zhetian if he would leave her and called him her best friend, saying he was the second man to make her feel safe after Kaji.
• Huang Zhetian invited Asuka to visit China with him after they defeated all the Angels, and her smile made him realize his love for her was real.
• Shinji sat with Mana at a dining table aboard a ship as their interaction grew more intimate.

Shinji and Mana shared a kiss during their date, while Asuka and Huang Zhetian kissed after Asuka felt jealous and apologized. The couples planned to visit the hot springs, and Asuka and Huang Zhetian continued their date at the amusement park.

• Shinji and Mana kissed on a boat, and Asuka and Huang Zhetian saw them.
• Asuka apologized to Huang Zhetian and then kissed him passionately.
• Mana invited Asuka and Huang Zhetian to join them at the hot springs, and Shinji offered to book their reservations.
• After lunch, Asuka thanked Huang Zhetian for making her happy, and they headed back to the amusement park to ride the Ferris wheel.

After bathing, Huang Zhetian spent the evening with Asuka, Shinji, and Mana beneath the stars, performing music and a supernatural-looking display with grass and flower petals. The night ended with Asuka taking him to a room to ask questions, while he kept the true nature of his power secret.

• Huang Zhetian, Asuka, Shinji, and Mana watched the stars and discussed humanity and the changes caused by the Impact.
• Huang Zhetian played "Thoughts Across Time and Space" on a blade of grass, earning praise from Mana and the others.
• Huang Zhetian used Mythic Technology to make grass and flower petals rise and form a heart, then claimed it was a martial arts technique.
• Asuka followed Huang Zhetian to a room, and a scream soon came from inside as Shinji and Mana commented on their relationship.

Huang Zhetian and the others watched the military seize Mana, while Shinji rushed to NERV to seek help. As the convoy carried Mana away, a Giant Machine emerged from beneath the lake and attacked the military vehicles.

• Misato warned Huang Zhetian that NERV could not intervene in the military's jurisdiction and urged him to get Mana out of there.
• Huang Zhetian told Shinji to escort Mana away while he and Asuka tried to buy time, but soldiers ambushed them and arrested Mana.
• Shinji tried to stop the soldiers, but the squad leader threatened him and took Mana down the mountain in an armored vehicle.
• Shinji hurried back to NERV to seek help from his father, while Huang Zhetian and Asuka remained behind with Misato.
• A Giant Machine burst through the road beneath the military convoy, swept vehicles into the lake, and destroyed helicopters before targeting Mana's armored vehicle.

Shinji struggled to accept NERV’s order to destroy the Giant Machine, whose pilot was tied to Mana, while Kaji urged him to face the coming fight. Huang Zhetian and the others launched to intercept the machine, and Huang received a system mission to save both Musashi and Mana.

• Gendo Ikari refused to help Shinji and told him to grow up, leaving Shinji and Asuka dejected.
• Huang Zhetian sent Shinji and Asuka to Kaji, who urged Shinji to recognize his ability to act before an alarm called them back to NERV.
• Dr. Akagi briefed the pilots that they had to destroy the Giant Machine in a populated area, and Gendo approved Huang Zhetian’s use of his unit’s new Greatsword.
• Shinji revealed that the Giant Machine’s pilot was Mana’s teammate, and the pilots agreed to try to subdue it despite the threat of an N² missile.
• The three Evas launched toward the marketplace, and Huang Zhetian received a system mission to save Musashi and Mana in exchange for a Sword God Descends Card.

The three Evas pursued Musashi’s Giant Machine to rescue Mana, but Gendo ordered Rei to shoot the hostage. Huang Zhetian secretly saved Mana, and after Musashi surrendered, the group faced an uncertain return to NERV as Mana and Shinji said goodbye.

• Shinji, Asuka, and Huang Zhetian pursued Musashi’s Giant Machine, while Shinji warned that their Evas had only five minutes of power.
• Musashi attacked Rei Ayanami’s Unit-00 and headed toward her position, but the pursuing Evas closed in while trying not to endanger Mana.
• Gendo Ikari ordered Rei Ayanami to shoot Mana and told the pilots to destroy the Giant Machine, causing Shinji to attack it in a rage.
• Huang Zhetian revealed that he had severed the Giant Machine’s hand and caught Mana safely, prompting Musashi to surrender.
• Gendo ordered the prisoners brought back alive, while Misato instructed the Evas to take them to NERV instead of handing them to the Military.
• Mana told Shinji they could not stay together, then Huang Zhetian spoke with Musashi, who said he and Mana wanted to live; Huang Zhetian drew his Tai Chi sword.

Huang Zhetian killed Musashi and another pilot to spare them further suffering, then used the Taiji Sword to revive them and arranged their escape with Mana. Shinji said goodbye to Mana as she and Musashi boarded a train, while he returned with Huang Zhetian, Asuka, and Kaji, ready to begin again.

• A military colonel found the two detained pilots dead, but Huang Zhetian and Asuka insisted they had kept NERV's agreement; the colonel checked the bodies with gunfire and left.
• After the military departed, Huang Zhetian used the Taiji Sword to revive the two pilots, then admitted to Misato that he had killed them and accepted suspension from piloting duties.
• Misato agreed to help bury the pilots near water as Mana had requested, and Kaji arrived with clothes and new identities for Mana and Musashi.
• Huang Zhetian explained the sword's suspended-animation effect to Shinji and Asuka, then drove with them and the revived pair to the subway station.
• Shinji and Mana tearfully said farewell, and Huang Zhetian played a flute tune as Mana and Musashi boarded the departing train.
• Huang Zhetian, Shinji, Asuka, and Kaji left together, and Shinji felt comforted by the people who remained with him.

After dinner with Kaji, Huang Zhetian, Shinji, and Asuka discussed how NERV would handle questions about the rescued Giant Machine pilots. At NERV headquarters, Gendo decided to keep the incident secret and prepare for SEELE's incoming pilot and Eva.

• Kaji visited Misato's home, and his teasing helped ease the awkwardness between Misato and Huang Zhetian.
• Asuka warned Huang Zhetian and Shinji that Commander Ikari might uncover their plan, but Huang said NERV would stay silent unless questioned.
• Shinji refused to destroy his keepsakes from Mana, despite Asuka's suggestion that he forget the past.
• Gendo and Fuyutsuki agreed not to pursue the rescued pilots' case and planned to delay or destroy SEELE's new Eva.
• Gendo ordered Kaji to go to Unit Four's base in the United States and prepare to destroy the Eva if necessary.

A power failure struck NERV during Unit-00’s experiment, leaving the facility’s backup power disconnected. As Shinji and the others searched for a way into the underground base, Huang Zhetian learned that a Rain Angel was attacking and received a mission to defeat it.

• Akagi, Ibuki, and Aoba Shigeru ran Unit-00’s experiment while Fuyutsuki discussed the Magi and NERV’s work with them on the train.
• Shinji called Gendo Ikari about a school meeting, but Gendo told him to leave such matters to Misato and stop bothering him.
• The power failed during Akagi’s experiment, and Fuyutsuki ordered the remaining electricity diverted to the Magi and Central Dogma despite the impact on life support.
• Shinji, Asuka, Rei Ayanami, and Huang Zhetian found that their cards could not operate the entrance because the power was out, so Huang Zhetian led them to seek another way in.
• Huang Zhetian received a mission to defeat the Rain Angel for 1,000 points and a Crystal Necklace.