Recaps

Kitasan Black deliberately settled at the back of the Early Lead group, using the open space there as a buffer zone while the field entered the back straight. Anjing Zhen and Agnes Tachyon confirmed the race pace matched their expectations and identified the final-bend exit as the key moment ahead.

• Kitasan Black maintained her speed instead of accelerating with the leaders, leaving her opponents puzzled about her retreat.
• Kitasan Black used the gap between the front-runners and Late-run group to preserve room for maneuvering along the track.
• The commentator reported Eishin Flash leading with Clear Sky close behind, while Kitasan Black ran seventh and Sunday Silence tried to move forward from the Late-run group.
• The field passed the 1,000-meter marker in 63.5 seconds, and Anjing Zhen and Agnes Tachyon agreed that the pace was as expected and the final-bend exit would be crucial.
• Agnes Tachyon recalled that she had concluded a conventional front-running strategy would not work for Kitasan Black after studying her training data and past race conditions.

Agnes Tachyon and Anjing Zhen watched Kitasan Black follow their plan through the rainy Tenno Sho Autumn, conserving her strength while rivals surged around her. At the exit of the Final Bend, Kitasan Black unleashed her burst and cut through the field toward first place.

• Agnes Tachyon recalled how she and Anjing Zhen planned for Kitasan Black to conserve energy in the pack and exploit the downhill turn.
• Yamasho Strong, Maurice, Satono Crown, Symboli Rudolf, Satomi Noble, and Futanari Shingang surged forward as the pack crowded around the turn, while Kitasan Black held back.
• Anjing Zhen and Agnes Tachyon watched with relief as Kitasan Black kept her rhythm and waited for the Final Bend's exit.
• As the Great Zelkova Tree flashed past, Kitasan Black counted down and launched into a powerful burst.
• Kitasan Black carved a sharp path out of the turn as her rivals opened a route toward first place.

Kitasan Black charged across the muddy Inner Lane, overtook her rivals, and reclaimed the lead in the final stretch. Tokai Teio celebrated her chances, but Mejiro McQueen warned that only about 300 meters remained and the lead no longer held its earlier strategic value.

• Kitasan Black made a sudden turn into the muddy Inner Lane, shocking Maurice, Satono Crown, and Futanari Shingang.
• Kitasan Black powered through the mud and caught up with the leading runners.
• Kitasan Black overtook Eishin Flash and seized the Lead Position.
• Tokai Teio marveled at Kitasan Black's charge and predicted that her chances of winning were enormous.
• Mejiro McQueen cautioned Tokai Teio that the race was nearly over and the Lead Position had lost its former significance.

Kitasan Black fought off five rivals in a rain-soaked final sprint at the Tenno Sho Autumn and crossed the finish line first. Her victory earned her the first medal of the Autumn Triple Crown.

• Mejiro McQueen said the race had come down to a head-on contest of Final Bursts, and Tokai Teio watched Kitasan Black tensely.
• Maurice, Futanari Shingang, Satono Crown, Sunday Silence, and Teio Sho closed in on Kitasan Black during the final 200 meters.
• Teio Sho accelerated while Satono Crown and Maurice battled for position, and the pursuers continued to pressure Kitasan Black.
• Kitasan Black pushed through the pain and opened a gap as her rivals chased her toward the finish.
• Kitasan Black crossed the line first in the rain-soaked Tenno Sho Autumn and claimed the first medal of the Autumn Triple Crown.

A week after the Tenno Sho Autumn, Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen discussed Kitasan Black’s sudden fame and the star-studded Japan Cup lineup. The chapter ended with Kitasan Black looking aggrieved as Anjing Zhen reviewed Horse Girl profiles and Agnes Tachyon worked on reagents.

• Tokai Teio gave Mejiro McQueen a Kitasan Black champion plush doll after they finished a meeting with reporters.
• Mejiro McQueen and Tokai Teio discussed the pressure on Kitasan Black and how her rainy Tenno Sho Autumn victory had depended on the Inner Lane and her stamina.
• Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen anticipated the Japan Cup, naming several overseas contestants and agreeing that its lineup was exceptionally exciting.
• That night, Anjing Zhen sorted through Horse Girl profiles while Agnes Tachyon mixed reagents and Kitasan Black watched Anjing Zhen with a pout.

Kitasan Black anxiously asked to resume regular training for the Japan Cup, but Anjing Zhen insisted she follow her recovery plan until her condition improved. When she helped Little Anzu bring in a mountain of fan mail, she noticed a letter from someone named Spring Autumn Equinox.

• Kitasan Black asked Anjing Zhen to let her return to regular training, but he pointed to her reduced test results and warned that rushing could cause an injury.
• Anjing Zhen reassured Kitasan Black that she could resume regular training next week and that he and Agnes Tachyon were helping her prepare for the Japan Cup.
• Agnes Tachyon called Anjing Zhen over to try a new potion, and Kitasan Black reflected on how he and Agnes Tachyon were testing remedies for her recovery.
• Little Anzu brought a huge stack of fan mail and gifts for Kitasan Black, who helped carry it to the table.
• Kitasan Black picked up a letter and noticed that its sender was named Spring Autumn Equinox.

Kitasan Black struggled with anxiety over the expectations surrounding her upcoming Japan Cup, but Anjing Zhen reassured her that they would face it together and encouraged her to take a break with Almond Eye. The chapter ended with Kitasan Black leaving home for their date, hoping it would ease her worries.

• Kitasan Black continued light recovery training after her Tenno Sho Autumn victory and felt uneasy about how little she was doing.
• Media coverage, fan messages, and expectations of an Autumn Triple Crown intensified Kitasan Black's fear of losing at the Japan Cup.
• Kitasan Black held back from confiding in her busy friends, including Satono Crown and Satono Diamond.
• Kitasan Black told Anjing Zhen about her anxiety, and Anjing Zhen reassured her that they would face it together and that regular training would resume next week.
• Anjing Zhen suggested Kitasan Black spend Saturday with Almond Eye, and Kitasan Black left home for their date.

Kitasan Black went to Motomachi Chinatown to meet Almond Eye and her junior, Spring and Autumn Equinox. Spring and Autumn Equinox explained that their friend Little Chuu could not join them because her parents had taken her to meet Trainers to assess her prospects for Central Treisen Academy.

• Kitasan Black reassured Grandpa that she could disguise herself, then left home to explore Chinatown on her own.
• Kitasan Black arrived at Chinatown in disguise and met Almond Eye and the timid Spring and Autumn Equinox.
• Spring and Autumn Equinox eagerly introduced herself, and Kitasan Black warmly welcomed and praised her.
• Almond Eye explained that she had found Spring and Autumn Equinox looking lost by the subway station and brought her along.
• Spring and Autumn Equinox said Little Chuu had missed the outing because her parents were taking her to meet Trainers and assess her situation.

Kitasan Black reassured Spring and Autumn Equinox that everyone had their own time to shine, encouraging her to trust in her future. She then led Spring and Autumn Equinox and Almond Eye to a Cantonese morning tea shop in Chinatown, where they began enjoying dim sum.

• Kitasan Black noticed Spring and Autumn Equinox felt discouraged by how well her friends were doing and took her hand as they headed toward Chinatown with Almond Eye.
• Kitasan Black told Spring and Autumn Equinox that Horse Girls bloomed at different times and urged her to believe her own time would come.
• Spring and Autumn Equinox cheered up and told Kitasan Black that she believed in her.
• Kitasan Black led Spring and Autumn Equinox and Almond Eye to a morning tea shop and explained that Cantonese morning tea was served until noon.
• Kitasan Black ordered assorted dim sum, and Almond Eye and Spring and Autumn Equinox eagerly began eating after tasting the shrimp dumplings.

Kitasan Black took Little Anzu and Spring and Autumn Equinox shopping in Chinatown, secretly arranging to buy them qipaos as early Christmas gifts. The three then watched a lion dance, and a ball thrown from the stage flew toward them.

• Kitasan Black brought Little Anzu and Spring and Autumn Equinox into a qipao shop, where they tried on outfits and took pictures.
• After Little Anzu and Spring and Autumn Equinox refused to let Kitasan Black pay, she secretly arranged with the clerk to buy the qipaos as gifts.
• The three visited more shops, ate Zha Jiang Mian, and followed the sounds of drums to a lion dance in a plaza.
• Kitasan Black lifted Spring and Autumn Equinox onto her shoulders so she could see the lion dance.
• A red lion tossed a blue-and-red ball toward the audience, and Kitasan Black realized it was flying toward them.

Spring and Autumn Equinox caught a cai qing and joined Kitasan Black in a Lion Dance event and competition, while Almond Eye volunteered to film them. As they prepared backstage, Spring and Autumn Equinox learned the dance steps after watching the demonstration once, leaving Kitasan Black amazed at her talent.

• Spring and Autumn Equinox caught the cai qing and received a Mini Lion Head Pendant from the Qipao Miss.
• The Qipao Miss invited the Horse Girls to try Lion Dance and enter a competition for a grand prize.
• Almond Eye chose to take photos and videos while Kitasan Black decided that she and Spring and Autumn Equinox would perform together.
• Kitasan Black picked a red-faced lion head, and she and Spring and Autumn Equinox changed into matching lion costumes.
• Spring and Autumn Equinox copied the demonstrator's steps and explained the rhythm to Kitasan Black, who praised her as amazing.

Kitasan Black and Spring and Autumn Equinox performed a lion dance together, impressing the crowd with how well they kept in step. When a Cai Qing competition began, Spring and Autumn Equinox grew anxious about letting Kitasan Black down, but Kitasan Black encouraged her, and the competition started.

• Kitasan Black reassured Spring and Autumn Equinox and led her onto the stage to perform a lion dance.
• Kitasan Black and Spring and Autumn Equinox crossed the Plum Blossom Stakes in sync, earning loud cheers from the audience.
• Qipao Miss brought two men in red-and-yellow lion costumes onto the stage as competitors for the Cai Qing contest.
• Spring and Autumn Equinox worried she would hold Kitasan Black back, but Kitasan Black encouraged her to compete.
• Qipao Miss announced the contest, and Kitasan Black and Spring and Autumn Equinox began moving toward the ladder.

Kitasan Black and Spring and Autumn Equinox competed in a lion dance, but Spring and Autumn Equinox lost her rhythm after watching the red lion team's performance. When she nearly fell, Kitasan Black caught her and helped her reach for the Cai Qing, urging her to win.

• The Red Lion Costume team crossed the Plum Blossom Stakes and performed impressive coordinated moves on the bamboo ladder.
• Kitasan Black and Spring and Autumn Equinox crossed the Plum Blossom Stakes in the black Lion Costume, and Kitasan Black leaped onto the ladder.
• Spring and Autumn Equinox became distracted by the red lion team's acrobatic performance and fell out of step with Kitasan Black.
• Spring and Autumn Equinox lost her balance on a rung, but Kitasan Black caught her around the waist and carried her upward.
• Kitasan Black encouraged Spring and Autumn Equinox to win, then lifted her to the lion head, where Spring and Autumn Equinox firmly grabbed the Cai Qing.

After the lion dance competition, Kitasan Black realized Spring and Autumn Equinox felt guilty about her performance and sensed that Kitasan Black had been troubled throughout the day. Kitasan Black reassured her and returned the champion’s prize, leaving them with the upcoming Japan Cup ahead.

• Kitasan Black, Almond Eye, and Spring and Autumn Equinox walked toward the subway station while Almond Eye showed them a popular video of Kitasan Black and Spring and Autumn Equinox performing the lion dance.
• Kitasan Black noticed Spring and Autumn Equinox seemed unsettled and suspected she was still upset about making mistakes during the performance.
• Spring and Autumn Equinox offered Kitasan Black and Almond Eye the Black Lion Dance Doll, saying she had not helped and wanted to make Kitasan Black happy.
• Spring and Autumn Equinox admitted she had sensed Kitasan Black was troubled and explained that she admired her and wanted the prize to bring her luck.
• Kitasan Black refused to take the prize away, told Spring and Autumn Equinox to accept it proudly, and said they would have more chances to bring her luck at the Japan Cup.

Kitasan Black explained that a lion dance competition with Spring and Autumn Equinox had eased her anxiety about the Japan Cup. Anjing Zhen recognized Spring and Autumn Equinox’s name and realized she was an exceptionally talented Horse Girl, but he decided not to rush into approaching her.

• Anjing Zhen, Agnes Tachyon, and Little Anzu confirmed that Kitasan Black had recovered well and could resume full training for the Japan Cup.
• Kitasan Black showed Anjing Zhen a Black Lion Dance Doll and described how competing with Spring and Autumn Equinox had helped calm her worries about the race.
• Anjing Zhen was stunned when Kitasan Black named Spring and Autumn Equinox and recalled the champion racehorse’s extraordinary record and connection to Kitasan Black.
• Almond Eye noticed Anjing Zhen’s blank expression, and Kitasan Black asked if he felt unwell.
• Anjing Zhen regained his composure and decided that immediately seeking out Spring and Autumn Equinox was not the most urgent matter.

Anjing Zhen considered how much Kitasan Black’s upcoming Japan Cup and Arima Kinen mattered as they discovered an arm-wrestling rivalry between Gold Ship and California Spangle. Kitasan Black tried to mediate, but the tables collapsed beneath the contest.

• Anjing Zhen reflected that Kitasan Black’s Japan Cup and Arima Kinen were crucial tests of his training and her chances at the Autumn Triple Crown.
• Anjing Zhen, Kitasan Black, and Almond Eye found Gold Ship arm wrestling California Spangle in the cafeteria.
• Frostfall explained that the teams had tied one match each and drawn another, leaving California Spangle’s bout with Gold Ship to decide the winner.
• Anjing Zhen recognized Frostfall’s strength after learning she had drawn with The Matriarch and worried that the overseas entrants could challenge Kitasan Black at the Japan Cup.
• Kitasan Black tried to separate Gold Ship and California Spangle, but they challenged her loyalty and the tables collapsed under the contest.

After Kitasan Black was ordered to write a self-criticism letter for the cafeteria table disaster, she struggled to begin and went to seek Gold Ship's advice. Satono Diamond reflected on Kitasan Black's progress and returned to her Arima Kinen training plan, while Kitasan Black arrived to find Gold Ship discussing a similar reflection with friends over a video call.

• Kitasan Black stared at her blank self-criticism letter, and Satono Diamond suggested asking Gold Ship for help after Kitasan Black explained she had declined A-Zhen's offer to get the punishment waived.
• Kitasan Black hurried to Gold Ship's dorm room, thanking Satono Diamond before leaving.
• Satono Diamond checked the Japan Cup entry list, thought about Kitasan Black competing against world-class racers, and resumed working on her Arima Kinen training plan.
• Kitasan Black entered Gold Ship's room and heard Gold Ship asking her friends how to write a reflection without bribing Fine Motion.
• One of Gold Ship's friends suggested promising not to break any more desks.

Kitasan Black helped Gold Ship and the others finish a Self-Criticism Letter, then discussed her preparations for the Japan Cup with Dream Journey. She confirmed that the Autumn Triple Crown was her goal and was warned to be careful of the powerful overseas competitors.

• Kitasan Black arrived to find Gold Ship struggling to write a Self-Criticism Letter, and Dream Journey asked her to help keep Gold Ship on track.
• Kitasan Black and the others discussed the letter until they completed it, and Kitasan Black offered to treat the seniors to lunch.
• Dream Journey asked Kitasan Black how she was preparing for the Japan Cup, and Kitasan Black said she and A-Zhen had been planning for it since training camp.
• Kitasan Black confirmed that she was aiming for the Autumn Triple Crown and described how she, A-Zhen, and Agnes Tachyon had studied schedules, past champions, opponents, and race data.
• Dream Journey, Gold Ship, and Gold Artisan warned Kitasan Black that California Spangle, Frostfall, and the other overseas contestants were formidable.

Dream Journey and the other seniors prepared Kitasan Black for the Japan Cup by offering detailed advice and arranging for her to learn from experienced winners. Kitasan Black accepted the responsibility of representing Japanese Horse Girls and promised not to let the seniors down.

• Dream Journey told Kitasan Black that she and the other seniors had gathered Japan Cup advice and could introduce her to experienced racers.
• Dream Journey explained that The Matriarch, Kamui Revelation, and Shonan Haze had offered course-specific guidance that Kitasan Black and Trainer Yasui should discuss with them in person.
• Gold Ship and Ichiryu Tsushi shared advice from Tougei Jodan and A-Fun, emphasizing that Kitasan Black would benefit from detailed discussion and joint training.
• Kitasan Black wrote down the seniors' advice on her phone so she could share it with A-Zhen.
• Dream Journey said the Japan Cup concerned the honor of all Japanese Horse Girls, especially with so many Strong Enemies competing, and Kitasan Black vowed not to disappoint the seniors.

Dream Journey explained to Kitasan Black that Japanese tracks had grown so different from overseas courses that strong foreign runners avoided the Japan Cup, and Gold Artisan confirmed that concern. With California Spangle, Frostfall, and Adayar entering because of their promise to Kitasan Black, Dream Journey said the Japan Cup carried the burden of proving Japanese runners could win without relying on specially suited tracks.

• Dream Journey explained that the Japan Cup had once aimed to bring Japanese and overseas runners together, but Japanese tracks had grown increasingly different from those abroad.
• Kitasan Black recalled how Japanese Horse Girls, including Tokai Teio, had broken overseas runners' monopoly on Japan Cup victories.
• Dream Journey said the changing track conditions discouraged overseas Horse Girls and Trainers from competing in Japan, and Gold Artisan confirmed that Trof had expressed the same concern.
• Dream Journey told Kitasan Black that California Spangle, Frostfall, and Adayar were entering the Japan Cup partly because of their promise to her.
• Dream Journey warned that the race's runners would carry the responsibility of proving Japanese Horse Girls could defeat overseas rivals without relying on tracks specially suited to them.

Kitasan Black accepted the pressure of the Japan Cup and vowed to win, then studied a detailed training plan with Anjing Zhen and her team. They focused on adapting her footing and stride to Tokyo Racecourse’s harder, potentially slippery track.

• Kitasan Black promised her seniors that she would win the Japan Cup.
• Anjing Zhen and Agnes Tachyon reviewed Kitasan Black’s training data and identified her leftward lean as a minor concern.
• Kitasan Black continued training with confidence as the Japan Cup approached and the campus grew increasingly tense.
• Anjing Zhen presented Tokyo Racecourse data and proposed adjusting Kitasan Black’s shoes and horseshoes for the harder track.
• Anjing Zhen showed Kitasan Black footage of The Matriarch using quick, high-frequency steps before a turn, and Kitasan Black understood how the technique could help her stay balanced.
• Anjing Zhen said Kitasan Black’s next training focus would be adapting to high-frequency stepping.

Anjing Zhen and the team analyzed the overseas contenders’ strengths and tactics for the Japan Cup, including their physical advantage and Adayar’s finishing strategy. Anjing Zhen warned Kitasan Black that international-style rules allowed physical contact, so she might have to face her opponents in a direct contest on the track.

• Kitasan Black recalled her grandfather’s words about success and told Anjing Zhen that she could beat her seniors in more than racing.
• Almond Eye asked whether the overseas contestants could adapt to the changed track, prompting Anjing Zhen to examine their strength reports and race footage.
• Anjing Zhen explained that California Spangle and Frostfall had stronger core muscles on average, giving them an advantage under rules permitting physical contact.
• Agnes Tachyon calculated that Adayar could sustain her sprint for 872 meters and might meet Kitasan Black in a prolonged head-on contest.
• Anjing Zhen warned Kitasan Black that Japan Cup rules modeled on overseas races allowed collisions and told her to prepare to arm-wrestle on the track.

Anjing Zhen and the other trainers began Kitasan Black’s final special training at Tokyo Racecourse, using forceful collisions to prepare her for the Japan Cup. After the first round exposed her difficulty keeping her balance under pressure, Anjing Zhen gave her a technique to practice as the race drew near.

• Anjing Zhen and the others brought Kitasan Black to Tokyo Racecourse for final training alongside other Japan Cup entrants and senior Horse Girls.
• Gold Ship and The Matriarch collided with Kitasan Black during a turn, disrupting her stride and nearly pushing her into the outside lane.
• Agnes Tachyon analyzed the training data and explained that Kitasan Black’s weakness came from poor anticipation and force application, not simply a strength disadvantage.
• Gold Ship and The Matriarch explained that they had deliberately tested Kitasan Black with collisions so she could learn to react instinctively.
• Anjing Zhen told Kitasan Black to absorb and redirect impact by tightening her core and making small adjustments to regain her balance, then urged the group to continue training.

As Kitasan Black trained for the Japan Cup, she struggled to adapt to the fierce physical contact used by overseas competitors while reporters gathered to watch. Her friends and rivals observed the training and realized the Japanese contenders would face intense overseas opponents as well as one another.

• Almond Eye worried as Kitasan Black endured repeated collisions during training, while reporters crowded into the stands to cover the Japan Cup.
• Anjing Zhen told the group to accept the unavoidable media attention and ordered Kitasan Black to resume training.
• Satono Crown and Duramente discussed Kitasan Black’s rapid adaptation and noted how aggressive European racing could be.
• Koushou Hayate worried that overseas competitors might send her flying, and Teio Sho scolded her for being afraid before the race.
• Wanlai Zhengming dramatically pretended to play an inspired violin performance, but Koushou Hayate explained that the violin’s player had run out of charge.

Kitasan Black and Adayar drew attention when they began an impromptu race, while Tokai Teio and Trof discussed how closely Adayar’s running style reflected Teio’s influence and how thoroughly the European team had studied Kitasan. The story then moved to the banquet on the night before the Japan Cup, where Kitasan surveyed the international contenders.

• Adayar approached Kitasan Black and challenged her to a direct race, which Kitasan eagerly accepted.
• Wanlai Zhengming theatrically announced their showdown as a fateful performance, drawing the attention of the training grounds and press.
• Trof told Tokai Teio that Adayar’s running habits resembled Teio’s because Adayar had studied her race footage.
• Trof explained that the European team had carefully analyzed Kitasan Black, her tactics, and her Trainer’s style, while Teio watched Kitasan with expectation.
• On the night before the Japan Cup, Kitasan Black attended the URA Association banquet and looked over the gathered horse girls from around the world.