Chapter Summaries

Kitasan Black surprised the spectators by using Great Escape in a muddy training race, then widened her lead through the first turn with the footwork she had developed in special training. She left the turn ten Horse Lengths ahead, but grew uneasy when her opponents still did not pursue or interfere as expected.

• Gold Ship and Ichiryu Tsushi wondered why Kitasan Black had chosen Great Escape instead of her more familiar Slow Escape.
• Kitasan Black used the opening stretch to build a lead of five Horse Lengths while judging the pressure and conditions of the muddy track.
• Kitasan Black accelerated into the first turn, applying her special-training footwork to maintain stability and increase her lead.
• Kitasan Black emerged from the turn ten Horse Lengths ahead of second place.
• Kitasan Black heard no pursuit or interference from the other runners and worried that the race was no longer following their planned scenario simulation.

Kitasan Black’s race diverged from her and her Trainer’s simulations when no opponent challenged her lead, so she chose to accelerate and run alone at the front. As she passed the Great Zelkova Tree, the trailing field suddenly erupted into commotion.

• Kitasan Black realized that the opponents had not challenged her Great Escape and that her lead had grown to roughly twelve Horse Lengths.
• Kitasan Black decided to keep leading and began a sustained acceleration near the 1,000-meter marker.
• Kitasan Black widened her lead to around fifteen Horse Lengths as the spectators watched in stunned silence.
• Gold Ship asked Ichiryu Tsushi why the other runners were letting Kitasan Black lead, and Ichiryu Tsushi said she did not know what the seniors were thinking.
• Kitasan Black disappeared behind the Great Zelkova Tree, and the trailing field suddenly erupted into commotion.

As Kitasan Black led the field around the Final Bend, Gold Artisan, Nakayama Celebration, Deep Impact, and Toho Lone Wolf launched their chases. The pack burst from the Great Zelkova Tree’s shadow onto the Final Straight, forming a fierce pursuit formation behind Kitasan Black.

• Gold Artisan accelerated first, prompting Gold Ship to cheer and Ichiryu Tsushi to react.
• Nakayama Celebration cut toward the Inner Lane and surged after Kitasan Black and Gold Artisan.
• Deep Impact accelerated along the Outside Lane, with Toho Lone Wolf charging close behind her.
• The racers disappeared beneath the Great Zelkova Tree’s shadow as the spectators watched the Final Bend.
• Kitasan Black emerged onto the Final Straight in the lead, followed by more than ten racers surging out in a tight formation.

Kitasan Black led the race onto Tokyo Racecourse’s long Final Straight, where her rivals launched a coordinated pursuit that caught her off guard. As Gold Artisan, Nakayama Celebration, Deep Impact, and Toho Lone Wolf closed in, Kitasan Black felt panic for the first time.

• Ichiryu Tsushi watched the pack emerge from behind the Great Zelkova Tree and recognized that the race had become a pursuit aimed at Kitasan Black.
• Kitasan Black realized her rivals had held back for most of the course and timed their chase to begin just as she seemed poised to win.
• Kitasan Black heard the pack closing and looked back to see Gold Artisan and Nakayama Celebration gaining on her.
• Deep Impact charged up the Outside Lane while Toho Lone Wolf followed in her tracks, and other rivals also began closing the gap.
• Kitasan Black struggled against the draining Heavy Track and the unexpected pursuit as unfamiliar panic crept over her.

Kitasan Black was overtaken by Gold Artisan and Deep Impact, then unleashed a desperate burst that brought her back into contention as the three raced neck and neck toward the finish. Anjing Zhen watched the leading trio and noted that the objective had been achieved, though a critical point was about to arrive.

• Gold Artisan and Deep Impact caught and passed Kitasan Black with their Final Bursts.
• Kitasan Black broke through her exhaustion and surged back past Gold Artisan and Deep Impact.
• Kitasan Black, Gold Artisan, and Deep Impact raced side by side through the muddy final stretch as the stands erupted.
• Gold Ship, Ichiryu Tsushi, Almond Eye, and others cheered the three leaders, while Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen watched in admiration.
• Anjing Zhen saw the 200-meter marker, acknowledged the objective had been achieved, and warned that the critical point was near.

After the practice races, Kitasan Black ate several bowls of food and cheerfully accepted her sixth-place finish, then helped carry vegetables into the kitchen. Satono Diamond recalled that as a child, Kitasan Black had cried when she lost but quickly recovered.

• Kitasan Black ate her third bowl of food and said she was hungry after the stamina she had spent racing.
• Futanari Shingang, Duramente, Satono Crown, and Satono Diamond discussed their race results and marveled at Kitasan Black's optimism.
• Satono Diamond spotted Kitasan Black helping kitchen assistants carry baskets of vegetables into the kitchen.
• Duramente said she was grateful to Kitasan Black for drawing her out of her shell and wished she could face setbacks as calmly.
• Satono Diamond recalled that Kitasan Black had cried when she lost races as a child, but quickly picked herself back up.

Satono Crown reflected on her recent defeats and wondered how she could face Kitasan Black as a rival in the Takarazuka Kinen. Kitasan Black returned with another enormous serving of food, drawing everyone’s attention.

• Satono Diamond said Kitasan Black would cry if she lost a race, surprising Satono Crown, Futanari Shingang, and Duramente.
• Satono Crown compared her poor recent results with the successes of Kitasan Black, Futanari Shingang, and Duramente, and worried about facing Kitasan Black in the Takarazuka Kinen.
• Satono Diamond asked Satono Crown if she had something to say, but Kitasan Black arrived before Satono Crown could answer.
• Kitasan Black sat down with another huge bowl of grilled meat, carrots, and fried rice and said she could finish it.

After the training race, Kitasan Black encouraged Satono Diamond ahead of the Japanese Derby, while Satono Crown and Duramente went to run at night because Little Kita’s performance had stirred them. Duramente revealed that Little Kita had entered the Zone and said she wanted to keep running alongside and competing with her.

• Kitasan Black suggested that her friends either have fun together or help Satono Diamond train for the Japanese Derby, but Satono Diamond explained that she had special training in Tokyo and needed to prepare to leave.
• Kitasan Black promised to cheer Satono Diamond on at the Derby and returned to the dorm with her to help pack her equipment.
• Satono Crown and Duramente separately said they were heading out, then agreed to go to the track together; Satono Crown admitted she also wanted to run.
• Satono Crown bought energy drinks and told Duramente that Little Kita had suddenly made her want to run.
• Duramente said she had been affected by the training race too, confirmed that Little Kita had entered the Zone, and explained that she wanted to keep running and competing alongside her.

Satono Crown learned that Duramente had also encountered a domain, and heard how Kitasan Black’s cheerful nature helped Duramente become calmer about racing. Duramente described the domain as a world where everything seemed to stop and she could perceive every part of herself with extraordinary clarity.

• Satono Crown remembered her Trainer’s warning not to chase domains and wondered whether Kitasan Black had truly reached one.
• Duramente said Kitasan Black had grown considerably, but hesitated over whether encountering a domain counted as growth.
• Satono Crown realized Duramente had encountered a domain too, and Duramente said it happened around the time Classic Frontline began.
• Duramente explained that meeting Kitasan Black gradually eased her restlessness about racing and helped her control her emotions.
• Satono Crown asked what a domain felt like, and Duramente described entering a world where everything seemed still and every movement and breath became clear.

Satono Crown learned that Duramente had touched the zone and challenged her to a serious race. Meanwhile, Kitasan Black felt lonely and bored in the dorm and messaged Anjing Zhen, who replied while reviewing the training-race data.

• Satono Crown told Duramente she wanted to know what kind of opponent she faced and asked her to risk a scolding for a serious race.
• Duramente agreed to race Satono Crown and said Sister Symboli probably would not scold her too badly.
• Satono Crown recognized Shining, Noble, and Zenno Rob Roy-senpai heading toward the track.
• Kitasan Black helped Satono Diamond prepare for special training, then returned to their dorm room and missed spending time with her Friend.
• Kitasan Black, restless after recovering from the training race, messaged Anjing Zhen to say she was bored, and he replied that he was sorting through the race data.

After Kitasan Black’s race, Anjing Zhen reviewed her data and considered how to develop special training to trigger her Zone more reliably, while deciding they both needed a chance to rest. Kitasan Black invited him to explore Tokyo with her the next day, leaving them looking forward to their date.

• Anjing Zhen analyzed Kitasan Black’s race data and found that she had entered the Zone for longer than in her previous races.
• Anjing Zhen saved the data and decided that he and Kitasan Black should take time to recover before the Takarazuka Kinen.
• Kitasan Black told Anjing Zhen that her friends were busy and suggested they go out together.
• During a video call, Kitasan Black listed Tokyo destinations she wanted to visit and learned that Anjing Zhen had barely explored the city.
• Kitasan Black promised to show Anjing Zhen around and began planning their date for the next day.

Anjing Zhen went on a Tokyo outing with Kitasan Black, who eagerly called it a date and led him through her carefully planned itinerary. Their first stop was a famous aojiru shop, leaving Anjing Zhen uneasy about the drink and what else she had planned.

• Anjing Zhen decided to treat his outing with Kitasan Black as an ordinary day, keeping his affection for her to himself.
• Kitasan Black met Anjing Zhen at Fuchu subway station in a carefully chosen outfit and showed him her detailed itinerary.
• After they reached Shibuya, Kitasan Black called their outing a date and said their first stop was a drink shop.
• Anjing Zhen admitted that he had forgotten most of Kitasan Black's itinerary, so she took his hand and led him to the shop.
• Kitasan Black ordered two cups of aojiru, and Anjing Zhen worried about drinking it and the other drinks on her plan.

Anjing Zhen and Kitasan Black began their Shibuya date with a carefully chosen aojiru drink, then visited the Hachiko statue. When Anjing Zhen recalled the dog’s story and a tearful movie night, Kitasan Black began crying, drawing the attention of patrol officers.

• Anjing Zhen tried the aojiru Kitasan Black had chosen and found its unusual flavor surprisingly pleasant.
• Kitasan Black explained that the shop’s tasty aojiru recipe was available only in limited quantities and promised to find Anjing Zhen other drinks.
• Kitasan Black led Anjing Zhen through Shibuya and brought him to the Hachiko statue, where they discussed the dog’s story.
• Anjing Zhen recalled watching a film about Hachiko with his mother, who had cried throughout it.
• Kitasan Black began crying, and Anjing Zhen panicked as passersby and two patrol officers noticed them.
• A patrol officer showed his ID and demanded that Anjing Zhen explain why he was not at school and what was happening with Kitasan Black.

Anjing Zhen and Kitasan Black cleared up a patrol officers’ misunderstanding and met two fans while heading to Central Avenue. Kitasan then led Anjing toward a gym hosting an event with Horse Girl endorsers, and asked him to guess which of them would appear.

• Anjing Zhen showed the patrol officers his Central Trainer License, clearing up their suspicion that he was a youth in need of counseling.
• The younger patrol officer recognized Kitasan Black and Anjing Zhen as celebrities and asked them for autographs, then received his senior officer’s permission to buy autograph boards.
• The officers told Kitasan Black they had supported her races, and the group chatted about racing as they crossed toward Central Avenue.
• The younger officer revealed that his senior officer and the senior’s daughter were fans, so Kitasan Black and Anjing Zhen signed boards for them before parting ways.
• Kitasan Black led Anjing Zhen to a gym endorsed by Mejiro Ryan, Hishi Akebono, and Miho Bourbon, and asked him to guess which endorsers would attend its event.

Anjing Zhen accompanied Kitasan Black to a gym in Shibuya, where she revealed an event featuring prominent Horse Girls. He learned that Kitasan Black had signed them both up for the Horse Girl Pursuit Battle, leaving him stunned at the prospect of competing against Horse Girls.

• Anjing Zhen reflected on the surprises he had discovered about Kitasan Black during their outing.
• Anjing Zhen guessed that the gym's endorsers would all be attending, and Kitasan Black confirmed he was nearly right.
• Anjing Zhen and Kitasan Black met Einis Fushin, who was working at the gym and handed them event flyers.
• Anjing Zhen read that the Horse Girl Pursuit Battle featured Mejiro Ryan, Miho Bourbon, Hishi Akebono, Special Week, Vodka, and other Derby Horse Girls.
• Kitasan Black had Einis Fushin sign them both up, and Anjing Zhen realized he was expected to compete against Horse Girls.

Anjing Zhen and Kitasan Black arrived at a gym hosting a Horse Girl Pursuit Battle, where Horse Girls chased human challengers through obstacles. Recognizing the contest as a version of World Chase Tag, Anjing Zhen realized he might have a chance to compete against Horse Girls after all.

• Anjing Zhen decided not to dismiss the event because its rules allowed human challengers and Kitasan Black clearly wanted to attend.
• Anjing Zhen and Kitasan Black watched Winning Ticket catch a human challenger, giving the defending Horse Girls another point.
• Miho Bourbon prepared to face the next challenger as the defenders led the challenger group four points to zero.
• Anjing Zhen recognized the pursuit contest as World Chase Tag and thought he might be able to win against a Horse Girl.

Kitasan Black brought Anjing Zhen to Shibuya’s Horse Girl Pursuit Battle, hoping to share an activity related to his Extreme Sports hobby. Anjing Zhen saw the event as a possible basis for a new training method, and they reached the registration desk as the current round neared its end.

• Kitasan Black explained that she had found the pursuit battle as a way to experience Extreme Sports with Anjing Zhen and hurried him toward the venue.
• Anjing Zhen considered how the event could help him demonstrate the safety of World Obstacle Pursuit Championship training and seek approval for a new program.
• At the venue, Kitasan Black and Anjing Zhen met Einis Fushin, Special Week, and Silent Suzuka at the registration table.
• Kitasan Black signed up for the next round, while Einis Fushin revealed that she and Special Week would compete in it too.
• Special Week took the list to find Maruzensky as the ongoing round entered its final stretch.

Anjing Zhen and Kitasan Black met the event commentators Smart Falcon and Maruzensky, who explained the event’s connection to the Japanese Derby. Maruzensky proposed a high-profile team match featuring Anjing Zhen alongside Kitasan Black and two other Horse Girls against a team made up entirely of Horse Girls, and asked whether he thought they could win.

• Miho Bourbon caught Challengers during the event, then shook hands with her as the contestants exchanged sportsmanlike greetings.
• Kitasan Black greeted Smart Falcon and Maruzensky, who explained how they and other Horse Girls had come to take part in the event.
• Special Week introduced Anjing Zhen as Kitasan Black’s Trainer, and Maruzensky said she had heard people discuss him in the University Department.
• Anjing Zhen asked Maruzensky what she thought of him, and she said she would give her evaluation after watching him perform.
• Maruzensky explained that the event promoted the Japanese Derby and proposed Anjing Zhen, Kitasan Black, and two other Horse Girls compete against an all-Horse-Girl team.

Anjing Zhen joined Maruzensky’s Horse Girl Pursuit Battle as a challenger and volunteered to compete in the first round. The match began with the crowd questioning whether a human could outrun a Horse Girl.

• Anjing Zhen accepted Maruzensky’s challenge and Kitasan Black promised to give her all in the match.
• Maruzensky assigned Special Week to recruit the remaining contestants, and Special Week brought Mejiro Yoshinobu and Daitaku Helios to join the attacking team.
• Maruzensky explained the six-round pursuit rules, and Anjing Zhen volunteered to compete first.
• Mejiro Yoshinobu questioned whether Anjing Zhen could compete against a Horse Girl, while Daitaku Helios encouraged her to support their teammate.
• Smart Falcon announced Anjing Zhen as the first challenger, drawing doubtful murmurs from the crowd.

Anjing Zhen faced Einis Fushin in the first round of WCT and used the fitness equipment to evade her remarkable speed. He held out until the timer ran down, winning the round for the challenger team.

• Einis Fushin exchanged high fives with the Horse Girls and entered the field to challenge Anjing Zhen.
• Anjing Zhen recalled the course layout and prepared to use the fitness equipment to evade Einis Fushin.
• When the countdown ended, Einis Fushin sprinted toward Anjing Zhen, who dodged past a treadmill and slipped between barbells.
• Anjing Zhen climbed onto the barbell rack, then leaped over more equipment while Einis Fushin stared in shock.
• Anjing Zhen stayed out of Einis Fushin's reach until time expired, and Smart Falcon announced his victory for the challenger team.