Chapter Summaries

Koushou Hayate accepted Kitasan Black’s invitation to dinner with Satono Diamond and their friends, but became anxious after realizing she was the least accomplished Horse Girl there. Kitasan Black began distributing the gifts she had brought back from Dubai, starting with a consolation gift for Satono Diamond.

• Koushou Hayate wondered why others had called her hat her real body, then changed the subject when Kitasan Black asked what she had said.
• Kitasan Black invited Koushou Hayate to dinner with Satono Diamond and their friends, and Hayate agreed despite her hesitation.
• Koushou Hayate arrived at the Gray Impression restaurant and found Satono Crown, Satono Diamond, Duramente, and Futanari Shingang already gathered.
• Koushou Hayate realized that nearly everyone at the dinner had achieved greater racing success than she had and worried about standing out.
• Kitasan Black gave Satono Diamond a gift from Dubai, explaining that it had originally been meant to congratulate her but had become a consolation prize.

Kitasan Black gave Satono Diamond a book about Middle Eastern bad-luck legends and tools for dispelling misfortune, prompting the others to share what they knew about Diamond and their own secrets. The group then discussed their upcoming races, including Koushou Hayate’s likely start in the Tenno Sho Spring.

• Kitasan Black gave Satono Diamond a decorated box containing a book about bad-luck legends and related charms and tools.
• Satono Diamond excitedly opened the book, and Kitasan Black explained that it recorded Middle Eastern legends and ways to dispel bad luck.
• Futanari Shingang and Duramente explained that Satono Diamond collected bad-luck stories and liked dispelling misfortune.
• Duramente shared her secret difficulty cracking eggs and her childhood experience of eating dorayaki at every meal.
• Koushou Hayate realized that Kitasan Black’s friendships helped everyone get to know one another, then the group discussed their next races.
• Kitasan Black said Satono Diamond wanted to win the Japanese Derby, Satono Crown planned to race in Hong Kong, and Kitasan Black expected to run in the Tenno Sho Spring before asking if Koushou Hayate would race there too.

As Koushou Hayate watched Kitasan Black’s punishing training, she worried about facing her formidable friend at the Tenno Sho Spring. Her sisters arrived at the training grounds, and Koushou noticed Kyoushou was coughing despite being told to rest.

• Koushou Hayate watched Kitasan Black perform weighted parachute sprints and compared their training and recovery.
• Koushou Hayate worried that she could not stand toe-to-toe with Kitasan Black at the upcoming Tenno Sho Spring.
• Koushou Hayate saw Elder sister and Kyoushou arrive from the school building and went to greet them.
• Kyoushou complained that Koushou had a problem with her coming to cheer, then coughed and turned away.
• Koushou Hayate asked Kyoushou why she had come despite the doctor telling her to rest.

Koushou Hayate asked Zenno Rob Roy to help her prepare for the Tenno Sho Spring, while also worrying about her recovering younger sister, Kyoushou. Zenno reassured her about Kyoushou and began training her, ending by asking how she would catch or hold off an opponent she desperately wanted to defeat.

• Koushou Hayate recalled overcoming her doubts and asking Zenno Rob Roy for special training before the Tenno Sho Spring.
• Kyoushou teased Koushou Hayate after hearing her concern, and Zenno Rob Roy reassured Koushou that Kyoushou's surgery and recovery were going well.
• Zenno Rob Roy agreed to help Koushou Hayate but warned that she was not suited to long-distance races, so Koushou needed to follow her Trainer's tactics and strategy.
• Zenno Rob Roy began warming up and introduced a training trick by asking how Koushou would catch or keep away an opponent she wanted to defeat no matter what.

Anjing Zhen prepared Kitasan Black and Little Anzu for the Tenno Sho Spring, explaining how the race differed from her previous Arima Kinen and warning that she would clash with Adroit Labyrinth for the lead. The preparations continued as Kitasan Black listened and took notes, while Almond Eye began to consider questions of her own.

• On May 1, spectators filled Kyoto Racecourse for the Tenno Sho Spring as Kitasan Black and Anjing Zhen returned from the Paddock to the Preparation Room.
• Little Anzu envied Kitasan Black's reception and asked why she was only the second favorite; Kitasan Black explained that she had not raced in Japan for four months while preparing for overseas races.
• Anjing Zhen asked Little Anzu to take notes as he reviewed the team's pre-race preparations with Kitasan Black.
• Anjing Zhen explained that the Tenno Sho Spring differed from Kitasan Black's Arima Kinen because the runners were now in their prime, making racing experience a key advantage.
• Anjing Zhen warned that Adroit Labyrinth, drawn in Gate 3 opposite Kitasan Black in Gate 1, would likely challenge her for the lead immediately after the start.
• Kitasan Black listened and took notes while Almond Eye also followed Anjing Zhen's analysis and began forming questions about Adroit Labyrinth.

Anjing Zhen explained to Almond Eye why race tactics required considering track conditions and all the opponents, then described Toho Lone Wolf’s tendency to act impatiently. The group resumed preparing for the Tenno Sho Spring, with Almond Eye beginning to understand the complexities of G1 racing.

• Anjing Zhen identified Toho Lone Wolf as a formidable long-distance runner but worried that her impatience could make her unpredictable.
• Almond Eye asked why the team was cautious about Adroit Labyrinth and Toho Lone Wolf, prompting Anjing Zhen to explain the basics of race-day planning.
• Anjing Zhen explained that track wear and the running styles of multiple opponents could make an immediate burst to the lead a poor tactic.
• Kitasan Black comforted Almond Eye and explained that Toho Lone Wolf was prone to losing her temper and rushing during training and races.
• Kitasan Black revealed that Toho Lone Wolf had been Gold Ship’s neighboring gate opponent when Gold Ship missed the start at the Takarazuka Kinen.
• Anjing Zhen urged Almond Eye to learn race planning gradually and warned her not to rush like Toho Lone Wolf.

Anjing Zhen and Almond Eye reviewed Kitasan Black’s Tenno Sho Spring preparations before meeting Zenno Rob Roy and Kyoushou in the stands. As they discussed the race, Kyoushou remarked that Kitasan Black should have been the most popular contender, prompting Almond Eye to eagerly agree.

• Anjing Zhen guided Almond Eye through their preparation details and recognized her competitive drive as she asked questions rather than pretending to understand.
• Anjing Zhen introduced Almond Eye to Zenno Rob Roy and Kyoushou in the stands, and the four exchanged greetings and pleasantries.
• Kyoushou noted that Golden Lyric was the race’s most popular contender despite Kitasan Black’s Arima Kinen victory and stronger reputation.
• Almond Eye eagerly agreed with Kyoushou that Kitasan Black deserved to be the most popular contender.

At Kyoto Racecourse, Anjing Zhen reminded Almond Eye that popularity did not decide the Tenno Sho Spring as fans roared for Kitasan Black. Almond Eye and Kyoushou argued over whether Kitasan Black or Koushou Hayate would win, then Zenno Rob Roy redirected them to Anjing Zhen’s race analysis as the 18 runners entered the gates and the race began.

• Anjing Zhen pointed out that Kitasan Black’s cheering section was as loud as the others and reminded Almond Eye that popularity did not determine a race’s outcome.
• Almond Eye, Kyoushou, and Zenno Rob Roy reflected on Kitasan Black’s and Koushou Hayate’s racing strengths as the crowd cheered for Kitasan Black.
• Almond Eye insisted Kitasan Black would win, while Kyoushou argued that her sister Koushou Hayate would take the championship.
• Anjing Zhen and Zenno Rob Roy tried to stop the argument, and Zenno Rob Roy shifted their attention by asking Anjing Zhen who he thought had the better chance of winning.
• Anjing Zhen began sharing his race analysis as the 18 Horse Girls entered the Starting Gates and the Tenno Sho Spring started.

Kitasan Black made a blistering return to racing after four months away, battling Wanlai Zhengming for the lead before settling into the front of the pack under pressure from Medal of Honor and Adroit Labyrinth. As the field climbed Yodo Slope, Wanlai Zhengming wondered why Kitasan Black had stayed out of competition for so long.

• Kitasan Black burst from Gate 1 and seized the lead as Wanlai Zhengming charged up from the outer lane to challenge her.
• Wanlai Zhengming dropped back to fourth or fifth, while Medal of Honor and Adroit Labyrinth moved in behind Kitasan Black to pressure her.
• Wanlai Zhengming advanced to third and followed Kitasan Black as the pack passed the first turn and climbed Yodo Slope.
• Wanlai Zhengming recalled her excitement after their Arima Kinen clash and questioned Kitasan Black's four-month absence from racing.
• Wanlai Zhengming considered how seasonal changes usually affected Horse Girls' racing schedules, noting that Kitasan Black's long break was unusual for a G1-class Horse Girl.

Kitasan Black used an unusually slow pace in the Tenno Sho Spring, surprising Wanlai Zhengming and the other racers who had studied her past tactics. Following Anjing Zhen’s plan, she aimed to preserve her stamina and recreate the desperate contest she had experienced in Dubai on the Final Straight.

• Wanlai Zhengming recognized that Kitasan Black had returned from her break stronger than before, but found her current running rhythm unexpectedly strange.
• Wanlai Zhengming and the other racers noticed that Kitasan Black accelerated whenever they closed in, then settled back into a steady cruising speed when they stopped pressing her.
• Kitasan Black recalled Anjing Zhen’s pre-race analysis and became excited that the Japanese runners preferred a comfortable, leisurely pace.
• Kitasan Black deliberately slowed her Slow Escape by a small margin as part of the strategy she and Anjing Zhen had devised to reach the Zone.
• Kitasan Black planned to conserve stamina while maintaining her narrow lead, then recreate her desperate Dubai battle on the Final Straight.

Kitasan Black controlled the race at a slower-than-expected pace while Golden Lyric tried to cut inward and was blocked by Toho Lone Wolf. Anjing Zhen judged that the race was unfolding as planned and said Kitasan Black had plenty of stamina left to respond later.

• At the 1,000-meter mark, the race reached a relatively slow time of 1 minute 2.4 seconds under Kitasan Black's control.
• Golden Lyric cut inward, but Toho Lone Wolf moved to block her, and Golden Lyric accelerated past her on the outside.
• Koushou took the position Golden Lyric had vacated, prompting Kyoushou to cheer and Zenno Rob Roy to praise the move.
• Almond Eye asked Anjing Zhen whether Kitasan Black was following the plan, and he confirmed that the pace and positions were better than expected.
• Anjing Zhen concluded that Golden Lyric had likely been unsettled by the slow pace rather than using a special tactic.

Zenno Rob Roy watched the Kikuka Sho and grew puzzled by Golden Lyric’s difficulty adapting to Kitasan Black’s slow pace and Koushou Hayate’s unusually relaxed approach to the race. As the field reached the second Yodo Slope, Al Bait, Satomi Noble, and Kitasan Black launched their moves.

• Zenno Rob Roy noticed that Koushou Hayate was racing seriously but seemed less desperate than she expected in a G1.
• Zenno Rob Roy suspected that Kitasan Black had deliberately suppressed the pace, though she could not determine why.
• The commentator reported that Golden Lyric had moved into fourth while Koushou Hayate took the inner lane.
• Al Bait began advancing on the outside, and Satomi Noble followed the route she opened.
• Kitasan Black accelerated as the runners approached the second Yodo Slope, sending the crowd into a roar.

Kitasan Black led the tightly packed field through the second ascent of Yodo Slope as she and Anjing Zhen relied on sustained acceleration to try to trigger the zone. As the runners exited the turn, Golden Lyric moved up on the outside, putting their plan under pressure.

• Kitasan Black accelerated first on Yodo Slope, with Adroit Labyrinth and Medal of Honor chasing close behind.
• The eighteen Horse Girls compressed into a tight wedge as they rushed toward the Final Straight.
• Kyoushou shouted encouragement to Noble Elegance from the railing while Zenno Rob Roy watched her anxiously.
• Anjing Zhen judged that Kitasan Black's early sustained acceleration was following their plan to make the late-race contest intense enough to trigger the zone.
• With 600 meters remaining, Kitasan Black still led as Golden Lyric began a move on the outside.

Kitasan Black battled Adroit Labyrinth in a brutal final sprint at the Tenno Sho Spring, while Noble struggled to understand her strength. Kitasan Black surged back at the finish and won the race.

• Kitasan Black held the lead as Golden Lyric faded and Adroit Labyrinth, Noble, Wanlai Zhengming, and Toho Lone Wolf closed in.
• Adroit Labyrinth drew level with Kitasan Black and edged ahead, while Noble fell farther behind.
• Noble wondered why Kitasan Black still had such explosive power after 3,000 meters.
• Adroit Labyrinth recognized Kitasan Black’s furious concentration but continued the head-to-head duel.
• Kitasan Black reached her limits, summoned another burst of strength, and won the Tenno Sho Spring.

Kitasan Black won the Tenno Sho Spring after being overtaken on the Final Straight, but she wondered whether she had failed to reach the domain. As the other Horse Girls celebrated her performance, Koushou Hayate spotted two familiar figures in the stands and lowered her head.

• Kitasan Black celebrated her victory, then questioned why she had not felt the clarity and control she experienced when she entered the domain in Dubai.
• Wanlai Zhengming approached Kitasan Black with a violin and praised her determined comeback.
• Adroit Labyrinth congratulated Kitasan Black and said she wanted to race against her again.
• The other Horse Girls congratulated Kitasan Black, who thanked the cheering crowd and promised to keep working hard.
• Koushou Hayate spotted two familiar figures in the stands, turned away, and lowered her head.

After Kitasan Black won the Tenno Sho Spring, Almond Eye nearly strangled Anjing Zhen while celebrating, and they headed to the Infirmary with Zenno Rob Roy and Koushou. Zenno Rob Roy reflected on Kitasan Black’s racing insight and asked Anjing Zhen whether he knew The Matriarch.

• Kitasan Black's name appeared first on the Display Board, and Almond Eye excitedly grabbed Anjing Zhen around the neck until he struggled to breathe.
• Almond Eye released Anjing Zhen, apologized, and offered to help care for him and Kitasan Black at the Infirmary.
• Anjing Zhen and Almond Eye set off to check on Kitasan Black and familiarize Almond Eye with post-race examinations.
• Zenno Rob Roy asked to accompany them with the dejected Koushou, congratulated Anjing Zhen, and heard Almond Eye praise Kitasan Black's role in planning the race.
• Zenno Rob Roy wondered whether Kitasan Black's strategic talent would make her difficult for Noble to defeat, then asked Anjing Zhen if he knew The Matriarch.

Anjing Zhen explained his connection to The Matriarch as Zenno Rob Roy discussed her former rival’s strength and record. Inspired by The Matriarch’s achievements, Almond Eye set her sights on surpassing her with even more G1 victories.

• Anjing Zhen told Zenno Rob Roy that The Matriarch had injured his arm at last year’s Arima Kinen and later contacted him about medical expenses and an apology.
• Zenno Rob Roy shared that The Matriarch could reportedly crush walnuts with her toes, surprising Anjing Zhen and Almond Eye.
• Kyoushou suggested The Matriarch had been lucky, but Zenno Rob Roy rebuked her and said races were won through ability, not luck.
• Zenno Rob Roy described The Matriarch’s Triple Crown and seven G1 victories, calling her one of the Horse Girls destined for the Shining Series’ history.
• Almond Eye announced that she would aim to win the Triple Crown and surpass The Matriarch’s seven G1 victories after her debut.

As the group left the stands, Kyoushou explained to Almond Eye how injury and misfortune could keep even a talented Horse Girl from achieving her dreams. Zenno Rob Roy admired Anjing Zhen’s confidence in Almond Eye and asked him for advice on helping Noble learn from her race.

• Almond Eye wondered why people laughed after she said she wanted to win the Fillies' Triple Crown and seven G1 titles.
• Kyoushou explained that illness and surgery had kept her from racing and training, warning Almond Eye that injuries and accidents could thwart even wonderful dreams.
• Zenno Rob Roy praised Kyoushou for showing how much she had grown, and Kyoushou teased her sister Koushou.
• Zenno Rob Roy reflected on how Anjing Zhen’s confidence in Almond Eye’s dream set him apart from other Trainers.
• Zenno Rob Roy asked Anjing Zhen to share his thoughts on Noble so she could help Noble learn from her race.

Anjing Zhen analyzed Koushou Hayate’s Tenno Sho Spring strategy with Zenno Rob Roy and suggested that her lack of confidence had kept her from choosing the best moment to challenge Kitasan Black. He proposed they examine Koushou’s racing disposition together, as he continued investigating how personality might relate to Domains.

• Anjing Zhen described Koushou Hayate as quiet and capable but often lacking confidence, surprising Zenno Rob Roy, who had expected him to discuss her racing ability.
• Anjing Zhen explained that Koushou should have marked Kitasan Black at the moment Adroit Labyrinth made her move, putting greater pressure on Kitasan Black.
• Zenno Rob Roy confirmed that she had trained Koushou to use a marking strategy, and Anjing Zhen reasoned that Koushou had followed it rigidly instead of trusting herself to seize the right opportunity.
• Anjing Zhen suggested that Koushou’s lack of confidence had shaped her race tactics, and Zenno Rob Roy acknowledged that she had not considered its effect during a race.
• Anjing Zhen proposed that he and Zenno Rob Roy analyze Koushou’s disposition together as he investigated the connection between personality and Domains.

After winning the Tenno Sho Spring, Kitasan Black worried that Koushou Hayate had a poor relationship with her sisters because Kyoushou jokingly asked whether Hayate spoke ill of them. Hayate arrived to clear up the misunderstanding, but panicked when Kitasan revealed how often she praised her sisters.

• Kitasan Black celebrated her Tenno Sho Spring victory with Anjing Zhen and Little Anzu, then greeted Zenno Rob Roy and Kyoushou.
• Kyoushou jokingly asked Kitasan whether Koushou Hayate secretly spoke badly about Zenno Rob Roy and her.
• Kitasan took the question seriously and offered to help if Hayate had a poor relationship with her sisters.
• Koushou Hayate arrived and learned that Kitasan had misunderstood Kyoushou's joke.
• Kitasan began explaining that Hayate always praised her sisters, and Hayate clamped a hand over her mouth before she could say more.