The following version of this book was used to create the guide: Kawakami, Hiromi. The Ten Loves of Nishino. Europa Editions, 2019.

Hiromi Kawakami's novel The Ten Loves of Nishino is written from the point of view of 10 distinct first person narrators. Each chapter of the novel is guided by the first person voice of one of Nishino's loves. The novel employs both the past and present tenses, and does not adhere to a linear plot line. The following summary uses the present tense and a streamlined mode of explanation.

In "Parfait," Natsumi recalls her former relationship with Nishino. When they were lovers, Natsumi's daughter Minami was just seven years old. Natsumi was so consumed by her feelings for Nishino, that she even took Minami on her dates with Natsumi. Years later, Minami calls her mother out into the garden one day. Natsumi is shocked to see Nishino before her. She recalls Nishino assuring her that he would die by her side. Only hours later, Nishino passes away.

In "In the Grass," Shiori begins spending time alone in a vacant lot after her mother abandons the family. Then one day, Shiori encounters her enigmatic classmate Nishino in the lot with an older woman. Shiori watches in amazement as Nishino suckles the woman's breasts. When Nishino discovers that Shiori has seen him, he explains that the woman is his sister. Her baby recently died, and he was trying to relieve her pain.

In "Good Night," Manami tells herself she cannot fall in love with her subordinate, Nishino. However, as soon as he is transferred to her department at the office, she becomes sexually involved with him. Over the course of their affair, Manami attempts to tailor her feelings and act mature.

In "The Heart Races," five years after Kanoko breaks up with Nishino to be with another man, the former lovers reunite at a beachside inn. Throughout her weekend with Nishino, Kanoko remembers how much she loved Nishino. Nishino repeatedly suggests that they retreat to one of the inn's rooms together. Despite her lingering feelings, Kanoko refuses. Their time together has passed.

In "The Kingdom at Summer's End," the first time Reiko meets Nishino, she wants to have sex with him. Nishino agrees, and Reiko spends the next five days at Nishino's apartment. Although she has felt close to Nishino during her time with him, as soon as she takes the train home, everything about Nishino feels far in the past. Throughout their relationship, Reiko struggles to discern her feelings for Nishino. It is not until Reiko reveals that his sister killed herself years prior, that Reiko realizes she did love Nishino but cannot love him any longer.

In "Osaka Tower," Tama meets Nishino through her roommate and best friend Subaru. Over time, Tama and Nishino become good friends and she develops feelings for him. When they sleep together and Subaru discovers them, Tama's relationships with both Nishino and Subaru fracture.

In "Keenly," Nishino and the cat Maow come into Eriko's life at the same time. Though she likes them both, Eriko trusts Maow more than Nishino. Nishino is offended by this, constantly begging Eriko to be his lover. Eriko has been hesitant about love ever since her divorce. It is not until Nishino disappears from her life that she regrets her inability to love him.

In "Marimo," Sayuri meets Nishino through her cooking club. Not long after encountering one another on the street, the two begin talking regularly on the telephone. They share a familial relationship, and Nishino confides in Sayuri. Nishino eventually disappears from Sayuri's life without notice. She often wonders what became of him and if he is okay.

In "Grapes," Ai meets Nishino while working at her family's beachside concession stand. After they start sleeping together, Ai wonders if Nishino is obsessed with her. Throughout their relationship, she resists falling in love with him. After Nishino dies in an accident, Ai regrets not being able to love him.

In "Mercury Thermometer," years after her fleeting relationship with Nishino, Misono continues thinking about her old lover. She particularly remembers him when she uses the old thermometer he gave her. She recalls Nishino's relationship with his sister and the pain he suffered. She hopes that Nishino found a place in the world.