Chapter Summaries

After Koushou Hayate finished third in the Tenno Sho Spring, her family and friends discussed her next race and worried that she might lack the fan support to qualify for the Takarazuka Kinen. Kitasan Black proposed that they work together to attract followers and enter the race together.

• Koushou Hayate felt embarrassed when Kitasan Black told her sisters how highly she had praised them, then changed the subject by asking why Zenno Rob Roy had come with Trainer Yasui.
• Zenno Rob Roy said she had come to check on Koushou Hayate and planned to consult Trainer Yasui about special training before her next race.
• Koushou Hayate worried that finishing third in the Tenno Sho Spring would leave her without enough fan votes to enter the Takarazuka Kinen.
• Kyoushou scolded Koushou Hayate for doubting herself after placing in a G1 race, while Zenno Rob Roy considered how to encourage her.
• Kitasan Black proposed that she and Koushou Hayate work together to gain followers and enter the Takarazuka Kinen together.

After Kitasan Black won the Tenno Sho Spring, Deep Impact called Anjing Zhen to discuss her plans for the second half of the year. Anjing revealed that he and Kitasan Black had not chosen a route because they were waiting to assess the effects of an experiment, and that the Spring race itself had been part of it.

• Deep Impact congratulated Anjing Zhen and Kitasan Black on their Tenno Sho Spring victory.
• Deep Impact asked whether Kitasan Black would pursue the Autumn Triple Crown, an Overseas Expedition to the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, or another plan after the Takarazuka Kinen.
• Anjing Zhen said he had not yet decided on Kitasan Black's second-half schedule.
• Anjing Zhen explained that their overseas experience had revealed differences in racing and an opportunity to experiment with the Zone.
• Anjing Zhen told Deep Impact that the Tenno Sho Spring had been an adventurous experiment between him and Kitasan Black.

Anjing Zhen explained to Deep Impact that he and Kitasan Black had used the Tenno Sho Spring to recreate conditions that might help her reach the Zone, despite the risks. Deep Impact accepted their reasoning and told them to stay in Tokyo because special arrangements might follow.

• Deep Impact questioned Anjing Zhen about the experiment behind Kitasan Black's Tenno Sho Spring race, and he explained the plan and its risks.
• Anjing Zhen recalled that he had discussed the risks with Kitasan Black, who had agreed to challenge her limits and attempt to reach the Zone.
• Anjing Zhen told Deep Impact that he believed Kitasan Black could win the race and that the experiment was meant to prepare them for future races.
• Deep Impact said their bold approach had produced results and teased that Anjing Zhen and Kitasan Black made a bold pair.
• Deep Impact asked whether their next race was the Takarazuka Kinen, then told Anjing Zhen and Kitasan Black to remain in Tokyo for the next few days and possibly a week or two for special arrangements.

Deep Impact, Gold Artisan, and Tokai Teio discussed Anjing Zhen and Kitasan Black’s risky Tenno Sho Spring plan and the URA Association’s likely opposition. Tokai Teio chose to conceal the plan from the Association and arranged a training camp for their confirmed Takarazuka Kinen plans.

• Deep Impact told Gold Artisan and Tokai Teio that Anjing Zhen had proposed an unusual, risky experiment for Kitasan Black at the Tenno Sho Spring.
• Tokai Teio argued that Kitasan Black trusted her Trainer and that Anjing Zhen prioritized her growth, while the Association would likely oppose the tactic.
• Deep Impact raised concerns that the plan could harm their overseas arrangements, and Tokai Teio proposed hiding it from the Association and Board of Directors.
• Gold Artisan and Deep Impact worried that concealing the plan would violate regulations, but Tokai Teio cited President Rudolf’s advice to trust her judgment and support promising talents.
• Tokai Teio accepted that she might face consequences if the Association discovered the concealment and said they should ensure Kitasan Black and Anjing Zhen could race without pressure.
• Tokai Teio noted that their Takarazuka Kinen plans were confirmed and said they could arrange a training camp.

Tokai Teio visited Anjing Zhen while Kitasan Black trained and showed him an internal prediction of the Takarazuka Kinen field. Anjing Zhen learned that Kitasan Black would face many familiar rivals over a distance that highlighted her weaknesses.

• Tokai Teio came to the training track and asked Anjing Zhen about Kitasan Black's training.
• Anjing Zhen explained that Kitasan Black was doing short, intense sprints to improve her explosive output and acceleration for the 2,200-meter Takarazuka Kinen.
• Tokai Teio agreed that Kitasan Black had a disadvantage at that distance compared with her potential opponents.
• Tokai Teio showed Anjing Zhen an internal list of predicted Takarazuka Kinen entrants, including Katsuno Stone, Duramente, Clear Sky, Satono Crown, Koushou Hayate, and Adroit Labyrinth.
• Tokai Teio explained that the Student Council prepared using preliminary predictions before fan voting began and asked whether Anjing Zhen had compiled a similar list.

Tokai Teio showed Anjing Zhen a list of potential Takarazuka Kinen entrants and offered advice on his limited experience as a Trainer. She suggested special training for Heavy Track conditions and sent him a roster of Horse Girls, leaving him puzzled by how much it resembled an Arc de Triomphe rehearsal.

• Anjing Zhen considered why his Takarazuka Kinen predictions had missed Adroit Labyrinth and realized his information was incomplete.
• Tokai Teio explained that the Student Council wanted to support Anjing Zhen and Kitasan Black, and urged him to ask for guidance when needed.
• Tokai Teio reflected on her own setbacks, including missing the Kikuka Sho and losing to Mejiro McQueen, and explained why she watched over juniors' mental well-being.
• Tokai Teio warned that rain could make the Takarazuka Kinen track heavy and sent Anjing Zhen details about special training.
• Anjing Zhen read the training roster, including Gold Ship, Vega, and Deep Impact, and joked that it looked like a Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe rehearsal.

Anjing Zhen explained why he and Kitasan Black would focus on Japanese races instead of entering European races, then revealed his private goal of helping her become a Hall of Fame Horse Girl. Tokai Teio accepted his decision as Kitasan Black ran over, leaving their future plans affirmed but the dream still unspoken to Kitasan Black.

• Anjing Zhen told Tokai Teio that he and Kitasan Black would avoid overseas races in the second half of the year, especially European races, and focus on Japan.
• Anjing Zhen explained the difficulty of adapting to European tracks and argued that Kitasan Black had many suitable race options besides the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
• Anjing Zhen revealed that he hoped to stand with Kitasan Black as a Hall of Fame Horse Girl, though he had not told her about the goal.
• Tokai Teio was surprised by Anjing Zhen's ambition, then smiled and accepted that he should choose the stage best suited to Kitasan Black.
• Kitasan Black finished training and ran over to them as Tokai Teio affirmed that Anjing Zhen was her Trainer.

Anjing Zhen and Kitasan Black agreed to join the Student Council’s Heavy Track special training, which included a Tokyo Racecourse practice race. Kitasan Black revealed her promise to race California Spangle, Frostfall, and Adayar at the Japan Cup, leaving Tokai Teio startled and eager to confirm it.

• Anjing Zhen explained to Kitasan Black that her Takarazuka Kinen preparations would include Heavy Track training with the Student Council’s selected racers.
• Tokai Teio said the special training would include a 2,400-meter practice race on a specially prepared Heavy Track at Tokyo Racecourse.
• Anjing Zhen recognized that the course and conditions also served as preparation for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, though he and Kitasan Black were not planning an overseas campaign.
• Tokai Teio explained that Kitasan Black should focus on sustained explosive power because she was already strong, and Kitasan Black said she trusted Anjing Zhen to handle any problems.
• Tokai Teio asked about Kitasan Black’s plans for the second half of the year, and Kitasan Black declared that she would target the Japan Cup because she had promised California Spangle, Frostfall, and Adayar she would race them.
• Tokai Teio stood up, grabbed Kitasan Black’s shoulders, and excitedly asked whether the promise was true.

Tokai Teio remembered Kitasan Black’s promise to race in the Japan Cup with California Spangle and the others, and decided to coordinate an invitation for the overseas stars. She put Kitasan Black’s Japan Cup preparations in Anjing Zhen’s hands as they looked ahead to her upcoming training and races.

• Tokai Teio recalled that Kitasan Black had told her about the Japan Cup promise and reproached Anjing Zhen for leaving it out of his report.
• Anjing Zhen explained that he had planned Kitasan Black’s second-half schedule in Japan partly to honor her promise, and Tokai Teio apologized for overlooking the matter herself.
• Tokai Teio said she would coordinate the invitation and asked Kitasan Black to race in the Japan Cup, expressing confidence that she could impress the world.
• Kitasan Black accepted Tokai Teio’s request, and Anjing Zhen explained how race preparations were planned well in advance.
• Kitasan Black vowed to work hard for the Japan Cup, while Anjing Zhen reminded her to focus first on heavy-track training and the Takarazuka Kinen.

Anjing Zhen and Kitasan Black joined the Student Council’s special training at Tokyo Racecourse, where maintenance had created Heavy Track conditions for Takarazuka Kinen preparation. Kitasan Black began a warm-up with Gold Ship, and Nakayama Celebration joined the training as well.

• The Student Council prepared a camp-style special training program led by Deep Impact and arranged it at Tokyo Racecourse.
• Anjing Zhen and Kitasan Black arrived with the other trainees and tested the unusually wet, sticky, slippery track.
• Gold Ship explained the Heavy Track conditions and launched into a warm-up, prompting Kitasan Black to follow her.
• Anjing Zhen told Kitasan Black to study the track’s feel and report back so they could review her observations.
• Anjing Zhen explained that Gold Ship and Kitasan Black’s power-focused abilities suited Heavy Track training, and Nakayama Celebration joined the warm-up.

Anjing Zhen began a muddy-track marker-stepping drill to help Kitasan Black prepare for the Takarazuka Kinen and adapt to Longchamp conditions. Kitasan Black struggled at the first cone, nearly losing her balance as the heavy mud resisted her stride.

• Kitasan Black and Nakayama Celebration discussed how the muddy field simulated Longchamp and how the training would help Kitasan Black prepare for the Takarazuka Kinen.
• Gold Ship warned Kitasan Black to lift her legs forcefully on the muddy track and teased that she might kick her flying.
• Anjing Zhen explained the 800-meter marker-stepping drill and told Kitasan Black to compensate for shorter strides by lifting her legs and finding the track's rhythm.
• Kitasan Black, Gold Ship, and Nakayama Celebration started the drill together and charged toward the cones.
• Kitasan Black's right foot felt heavy at the first cone, causing her to brush it, lose her balance, and realize the mud created more resistance than she expected.

Kitasan Black practiced running on a Heavy Track as Gold Ship and Nakayama Celebration demonstrated how to use her hips and hind legs for longer strides. With Anjing Zhen’s guidance, she adapted quickly and finished the first training set having grasped the basic technique.

• Gold Ship demonstrated a powerful stride on the muddy track and advised Kitasan Black to drive forward with her hips and hind legs.
• Nakayama Celebration explained how to imitate the seniors’ technique, then joined Gold Ship in demonstrating it.
• Anjing Zhen assessed Kitasan Black’s first run and instructed her to focus on adapting to the Heavy Track while the others observed.
• Kitasan Black adjusted her acceleration and core position on her second run, feeling smoother and avoiding the cones.
• After repeated practice, Anjing Zhen praised Kitasan Black’s nearly error-free stride length, while Gold Ship complimented her final lean.

Anjing Zhen designed a muddy-track drill to improve Kitasan Black’s balance and speed through turns, while Gold Ship and Nakayama Celebration demonstrated the technique. After seeing how much smoother their routes were, Kitasan Black asked to keep training, and Anjing Zhen realized she was impatient to surpass her seniors.

• Anjing Zhen reviewed Kitasan Black’s performance data and created a Heavy Track regimen focused on maintaining speed and balance.
• Anjing Zhen had Kitasan Black, Gold Ship, and Nakayama Celebration weave through cones on the muddy track while adjusting their stride, posture, and landing angles.
• Kitasan Black struggled through the turns but kept practicing, noticing that her route was much less smooth than those of the two seniors.
• Gold Ship gave Kitasan Black a towel and reminded her to take a hot shower after training.
• Kitasan Black asked Anjing Zhen for another exercise, and he told her the day’s training was over before recognizing that she wanted to surpass her seniors.

Kitasan Black learned that Gold Ship and Nakayama Celebration had noticed her competitive streak, which surfaced against powerful rivals. As Anjing Zhen considered how that trait might help her enter the Zone, he concluded that facing strong opponents and adversity could be the key.

• Anjing Zhen told Kitasan Black that she became eager to surpass her seniors when training with them.
• Gold Ship and Nakayama Celebration revealed that they had bet on whether Kitasan Black would want to surpass them, and Nakayama Celebration admitted she had lost.
• Gold Ship and Nakayama Celebration described Kitasan Black as competitive when facing strong opponents, surprising her.
• Anjing Zhen sent the three Horse Girls to shower and change after training in soaked clothes.
• While reviewing the training, Anjing Zhen connected Kitasan Black's competitive streak and past breakthroughs against strong rivals to her possibility of entering the Zone.

Anjing Zhen planned to use the special-training practice race to help Kitasan Black trigger the Domain, and Deep Impact proposed adjustments to Kitasan Black’s training for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Deep Impact hesitated over whether sharing the race details would break the rules or give Kitasan Black an unfair advantage.

• Anjing Zhen decided that the practice race on a 2400-meter Heavy Track could provide the challenges and pressure Kitasan Black needed to enter the Domain.
• Anjing Zhen met Deep Impact in the cafeteria, where she proposed pace-focused training to improve Kitasan Black’s balance, speed, and ability to handle changes of pace.
• Anjing Zhen agreed to revise the training plan and use Gold Ship and Nakayama Celebration to help train Kitasan Black against interference.
• Anjing Zhen told Deep Impact that he wanted to test whether a cue at the 200-meter marker could help Kitasan Black trigger the Domain, as it had for Oguri Cap.
• Deep Impact worried that revealing the practice race arrangements could violate the rules and give Kitasan Black an unfair advantage over the other Horse Girls.

Deep Impact agreed to let Anjing Zhen privately review the training race arrangements after they discussed the risks of experimenting during major races. She warned him that the Association and Board of Directors could replace him if his decisions threatened Kitasan Black’s results, and he accepted the warning calmly before returning his focus to training.

• Anjing Zhen argued that testing new abilities in a training race was safer than trying them at the Takarazuka Kinen, and Deep Impact compared his past risks with her own.
• Deep Impact agreed to show Anjing Zhen the training race arrangements privately, on the condition that he tell no one, including Little Kita.
• Deep Impact warned Anjing Zhen that his and Little Kita’s growing fame would draw scrutiny to his risky decisions from the Association and the Board of Directors.
• Anjing Zhen realized that he could be replaced if his decisions endangered Kitasan Black’s results and promised to be more careful.
• Deep Impact noted that Anjing Zhen could accept these matters directly and told him to focus on Little Kita’s training and the upcoming training race.

Anjing Zhen planned Kitasan Black’s training for the Takarazuka Kinen, while Kitasan Black spoke with Satono Diamond about training and their friends. The chapter ended with Kitasan Black asking whether Satono Diamond had been feeling down under the pressure on the Satomi family’s hopefuls.

• Anjing Zhen adjusted Kitasan Black’s training plans for the Takarazuka Kinen and explained the arrangements, including how she would use her Domain.
• Satono Diamond told Kitasan Black that her Trainer had sent her back to rest because she had already done enough training.
• Kitasan Black explained that Anjing was worried about supervising her at Tokyo Racecourse while also looking after Little Anzu.
• Kitasan Black noticed Satono Diamond’s low spirits and connected them to the defeats Satono Diamond and Satono Crown had suffered and the pressure to win a G1 Race.

Satono Diamond told Kitasan Black that her family’s history of falling short in G1 races made her fear a curse was holding them back. Kitasan encouraged her to focus on training and preparation, and invited her to Tokyo Racecourse, where Satono Diamond realized how formidable Kitasan’s practice-race field would be.

• Satono Diamond explained that her elder sisters and seniors had worked hard but never won a G1, leaving her convinced that a curse might be responsible.
• Kitasan Black urged Satono Diamond not to blame race outcomes on curses, insisting that diligent training and serious preparation mattered more.
• Satono Diamond thanked Kitasan Black and agreed that they should work hard together.
• Kitasan Black invited Satono Diamond to visit Tokyo Racecourse and watch her practice race before the Japanese Derby, and Satono Diamond agreed.
• At Tokyo Racecourse, Satono Diamond saw that Kitasan Black would face formidable opponents, including Duramente, Satono Crown, Deep Impact, Gold Ship, and Nakayama Celebration.

Kitasan Black discovered that Futanari Shingang had joined the practice race and learned she wanted to test herself against Kitasan Black and Duramente. As the warm-up ended, Kitasan Black focused on using Scenario Simulation Tactics to reach the strength her Trainer believed she could unleash against strong opponents.

• Kitasan Black spotted Futanari Shingang in the warm-up line and asked why she had entered the practice race despite being scheduled for the Yasuda Kinen.
• Futanari Shingang explained that she wanted to face Kitasan Black and Duramente again, while Duramente recalled their promise in Dubai to race together in Japan.
• Deep Impact called on the runners to focus, and Kitasan Black, Futanari Shingang, and Duramente returned their attention to the warm-up.
• Futanari Shingang reflected that she had joined the practice race to gauge how much Kitasan Black and Duramente had improved.
• Kitasan Black prepared to use Scenario Simulation Tactics before the race reached 2,200 meters and trusted Anjing Zhen's belief that she could grow stronger against powerful rivals.

Kitasan Black entered the first Heavy Track training race and assessed her opponents before the start. She launched into a Great Escape immediately from the gates, surprising the spectators and leaving them wondering about her plan.

• Kitasan Black drew Gate 2 beside Deep Impact and Nakayama Celebration, then analyzed their likely tactics and the Heavy Track conditions.
• Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen confirmed the race arrangements while Gold Ship and Ichiryu Tsushi discussed the competitors.
• Tokai Teio declared the race started, and the runners burst from the gates together.
• Kitasan Black surged half a length ahead, prompting Tokai Teio, Mejiro McQueen, Gold Ship, and Ichiryu Tsushi to recognize that she was attempting a Great Escape.