Recaps

On the eve of the Japan Cup, Kitasan Black and the other contenders prepared for the race while sharing a lighthearted conversation about Chinatown and local foods. California Spangle ended the gathering by challenging Kitasan Black, setting their rivalry for the next day.

• Duramente, Adayar, and Bafur continued their final training as reporters covered the Japan Cup preparations and its collision rules.
• California Spangle and Frostfall thanked Kitasan Black and Almond Eye for recommending Chinatown, then asked whether people ate the Cai Qing.
• Kitasan Black and Almond Eye explained that the Cai Qing was a ritual symbol of good fortune, and the group laughed before discussing local foods.
• Adayar joined the conversation to describe a specialty dessert from her hometown, and Gold Ship interrupted with a joke about getting a share of the food.
• Kitasan Black received an encouraging video from Spring and Autumn Equinox, who said she had displayed the lucky Lion Dance Doll.
• California Spangle told Kitasan Black she would not lose to her in the race the next day.

On Japan Cup race day, Kitasan Black drew strength from her team's support and a good-luck charm from Spring and Autumn Equinox. She entered the starting gates alongside formidable Japanese and international rivals as the race began.

• Kitasan Black and her friends affirmed their excitement to compete against one another in the Japan Cup.
• Anjing Zhen, Agnes Tachyon, Daiwa Scarlet, and Almond Eye encouraged Kitasan Black before leaving her to prepare alone.
• Spring and Autumn Equinox called Kitasan Black, who showed her the Lion Dance Doll and promised to carry the girl's support with her.
• Kitasan Black placed the doll on the conference table, changed into her Victory Outfit, and left the preparation room.
• Kitasan Black joined Duramente, Koushou Hayate, Tenka Yuiitsu, Adayar, California Spangle, Bafur, and the other entrants in the tunnel.
• The commentator introduced the Japan Cup, and the race began as the Horse Girls stood in the starting gates.

Kitasan Black launched from the innermost gate and raced to claim the lead in the Japan Cup, following Anjing Zhen’s tactical instructions. As she entered the first turn, she dodged Tenka Yuiitsu and California Spangle’s attempts to pressure her and held the inside lane.

• Kitasan Black burst from Stall No. 1, while Golden Lyric, Tenka Yuiitsu, and California Spangle rushed to challenge her position.
• Kitasan Black followed Anjing Zhen’s instructions to conserve energy and keep to the inside as the pack approached the first turn.
• Anjing Zhen, Agnes Tachyon, Daiwa Scarlet, and Almond Eye watched Kitasan Black’s clean start from the stands.
• Tenka Yuiitsu and Golden Lyric closed in behind Kitasan Black as California Spangle tried to force her outward.
• Kitasan Black used High-Frequency Shuffling Steps to evade the challengers and cut along the inside line into the first turn.

Kitasan Black led the Japan Cup using a controlled Slow Escape strategy, conserving stamina while the pack stayed close behind her. As she settled into the race, Tenka Yuiitsu pressed forward and California Spangle began an outside overtake.

• Kitasan Black took the lead and set a steady pace as Tenka Yuiitsu and California Spangle followed closely.
• The commentator described the positions of the leading pack and noted that Frostfall and Bafur led the advance group while Adayar ran in midfield.
• Agnes Tachyon checked Kitasan Black’s live race data and judged her condition to be excellent.
• Kitasan Black eased her effort to conserve strength and took advantage of the relatively firm, well-maintained inner turf.
• Tenka Yuiitsu accelerated until she was one horse length behind Kitasan Black, while California Spangle began an overtake from the outside lane.

During the Japan Cup, Kitasan Black held her line and conserved strength as California Spangle charged through the crowded field with brutal force. Anjing Zhen and Agnes Tachyon believed the attack concealed a deeper plan, leaving the race’s next move uncertain.

• Kitasan Black recognized California Spangle’s challenge and followed the contingency plan devised by Anjing Zhen and Agnes Tachyon, adjusting her position and stride while conserving stamina.
• California Spangle smashed through the Advance Group, forcing aside Seven Colors Line and disrupting the rhythm of Tenka Yuiitsu and Golden Lyric as she pressed toward Kitasan Black.
• The commentator and spectators reacted to California Spangle’s dangerous, forceful advance, while Anjing Zhen urged Kitasan Black to hold steady and stick to the plan.
• Agnes Tachyon asked Daiwa Scarlet to assess California Spangle’s output, interference, and stamina consumption; Daiwa Scarlet reported that her efficiency was falling.
• Agnes Tachyon warned that California Spangle had prepared specifically for the Japan Cup and was likely plotting something beyond a war of attrition.

California Spangle threw the Japan Cup into chaos, but Kitasan Black seized the brief lull to accelerate and widen her lead before the Third Turn. She realized the pursuing runners had quickly settled into a coordinated rhythm and were already closing the gap.

• California Spangle disrupted the pack, allowing Adayar to overtake several runners while Duramente and Frostfall adjusted their positions.
• Trof and Tokai Teio recognized that California Spangle's tactic forced the field into chaotic rhythms, and they noticed Frostfall moving forward.
• Kitasan Black accelerated just before the Third Turn, using the downhill stretch to extend her lead to roughly three horse lengths.
• Kitasan Black saw that California Spangle and the other runners had regained their composure and were methodically eating into her lead.

Kitasan Black fought California Spangle through brutal shoulder-to-shoulder contact as the Japan Cup field charged into the Final Straight. With Adayar joining the lead and the rest of the runners closing in, the race remained undecided at the 400-meter mark.

• The commentator announced that California Spangle had drawn alongside Kitasan Black, with Adayar surging up as they entered the Final Straight.
• Kitasan Black refused to yield to California Spangle, imagining herself as a fierce lion and drawing on her resolve to keep fighting.
• Adayar's killing intent appeared beside Kitasan Black, and Kitasan Black overcame a moment of fear by renewing her determination to win.
• A small spectator climbed onto the railing and waved a Black Red Lion Dance Doll and an idol poster while shouting encouragement.
• The commentator reported that Adayar had found an opening on the outside and that the runners behind had caught up, leaving the leading pack's order unclear at 400 meters.

Kitasan Black won the Japan Cup after a desperate, tightly contested final stretch, claiming the second leg of the Autumn Triple Crown. Exhausted after crossing the finish line, she realized that she had truly won.

• Kitasan Black battled Adayar, Duramente Breaks Through, Wanlai Zhengming, Koushou Hayate, and the other contenders in a tightly packed Japan Cup finish.
• Kitasan Black edged ahead in the final meters and crossed the finish line first.
• The commentator announced Kitasan Black as the Japan Cup champion and celebrated her second Autumn Triple Crown victory.
• Anjing Zhen, Agnes Tachyon, Daiwa Scarlet, Almond Eye, Spring and Autumn Equinox, Tokai Teio, and Trof reacted emotionally to the win.
• Kitasan Black lay exhausted beyond the finish line, then gathered enough strength to sit up and realize she had won.

Kitasan Black won the Japan Cup after an exhausting race, earning the respect of California Spangle and Adayar, who invited her to race abroad. After the Winner’s Stage, Anjing Zhen considered Kitasan Black’s condition and tentatively kept her planned Arima Kinen entry, with recovery as the priority.

• Kitasan Black saw her name at the top of the Japan Cup display as the exhausted California Spangle and Adayar rose to congratulate her.
• Wanlai Zhengming celebrated the race as a musical symphony and played soothing music on her violin.
• Adayar invited Kitasan Black to race in Europe, while California Spangle suggested she experience racing in the United States; Adayar promised to face her again wherever she went.
• Saburo Kitajima joined Kitasan Black on the Winner’s Stage and performed his classic song, “Festival.”
• After examinations showed that the Japan Cup had pushed many competitors close to their limits, Anjing Zhen reviewed Kitasan Black’s condition and kept her Arima Kinen plan tentatively unchanged, prioritizing recovery in training.

After the Japan Cup, Anjing Zhen took Kitasan Black to a hot spring rehabilitation center, where she met other racers and joined a conversation about sightseeing, academy life, and romance. The chapter ended with California Spangle asking whether romance was allowed at Tracen Academy Japan, leaving Koushou Hayate flustered and Duramente confused.

• Anjing Zhen asked Daiwa Scarlet to handle interviews and took Kitasan Black to a hot spring rehabilitation center with Agnes Tachyon and Little Anzu.
• Kitasan Black and Little Anzu recalled how painful the Fascia Knife and Foam Roller massages had been.
• Kitasan Black and Little Anzu met California Spangle and Frostfall in the bath, where they found several other racers recovering.
• Kitasan Black and the others discussed Tokyo sightseeing and compared life at their respective academies.
• California Spangle asked whether romance was allowed at Tracen Academy Japan, making Koushou Hayate blush while Duramente asked what romance was.

During a hot-spring conversation about love and romance, the Horse Girls teased Kitasan Black about her closeness with Trainer Yasui. Kitasan Black described how much she trusted him, but she still struggled to understand the unfamiliar flutter in her heart.

• Adayar and California Spangle compared how different regions treated romance and asked Kitasan Black about parties and dating.
• California Spangle and Frostfall teased Kitasan Black about Trainer Yasui, while Koushou Hayate blushed and Bafur reacted discreetly.
• Wanlai Zhengming switched the violin’s music to a romantic melody, and Duramente recalled that Symboli Rudolf had said many girls might pursue Trainer Yasui if he were less busy.
• Kitasan Black insisted that Symboli Rudolf had only been praising A-Zhen and recalled his guidance and support.
• California Spangle pointed out that Kitasan Black now called Trainer Yasui “A-Zhen,” and Kitasan Black said he was amazing and made her feel at ease.

During a bathhouse conversation about romance, Kitasan Black described her ideal type and concluded that it was Teio-senpai. The others collapsed in disappointment, and Almond Eye arrived with a message that the Trainer wanted to check Kitasan Black’s muscle recovery.

• California Spangle stopped the talk about racing and encouraged the others to ask Kitasan Black about her ideal type.
• Adayar asked Kitasan Black what kind of person she would want to trust and stay with.
• Kitasan Black listed traits including dependability, focus, gentleness, foresight, and stubbornness while the others eagerly listened.
• Kitasan Black declared that Teio-senpai matched every trait and called her a perfect match.
• California Spangle, Frostfall, and Adayar toppled into the water, while the others reacted with confusion or withdrew beneath the surface.
• Almond Eye told Kitasan Black that the Trainer wanted to check her muscle recovery and wondered what had happened to the seniors.

Kitasan Black left the hot spring after Almond Eye told her that Anjing Zhen was waiting in the recovery room. Alone in the changing room, she realized her ideal type matched Anjing Zhen and struggled to face him before hurrying out with Almond Eye.

• California Spangle teased Kitasan Black about receiving special attention from her Trainer, and Kitasan Black quickly left the bath with Almond Eye.
• California Spangle and the other Horse Girls speculated about Kitasan Black and her Trainer, while Duramente asked what they meant and Koushou Hayate hid underwater in embarrassment.
• Kitasan Black recalled Anjing Zhen's dependable, focused, considerate, and ambitious qualities and recognized that they fit her ideal type.
• Almond Eye called to Kitasan Black that the Trainer and the others were waiting, and Kitasan Black hurried out of the changing room with her.

After the hot spring, Kitasan Black nervously faked neck discomfort to avoid revealing her flustered feelings around Anjing Zhen. Her examination found only mild fatigue, and the recovery plan for the Arima Kinen left her with an unexplained emptiness as Anjing Zhen remained focused on work.

• Kitasan Black reached the recovery room with Almond Eye and froze when Anjing Zhen asked how the hot spring had been.
• Kitasan Black claimed her neck was uncomfortable, so Anjing Zhen brought her inside for Agnes Tachyon to examine.
• Agnes Tachyon found only mild muscle fatigue, and Anjing Zhen and Daiwa Scarlet agreed that rest would be enough.
• Anjing Zhen, Agnes Tachyon, and Daiwa Scarlet discussed Kitasan Black’s rehabilitation and final adjustments before the Arima Kinen.
• Kitasan Black listened to Anjing Zhen’s work-focused explanation as her tender feelings faded into an empty feeling.

Kitasan Black struggled with growing, confusing feelings toward Trainer Yasui, which distracted her during recovery training. At Narita International Airport, she asked California Spangle, Frostfall, and Adayar for help understanding those feelings, and Adayar stopped the others from teasing her.

• Kitasan Black found herself distracted by thoughts of Trainer Yasui and worried that her feelings would interfere with her preparations for the Arima Kinen.
• Kitasan Black hid her sleeplessness and confusion from Satono Diamond, saying she was only tired.
• Kitasan Black decided to seek advice from California Spangle, Frostfall, and Adayar before they left Japan.
• At Narita International Airport, Kitasan Black told the three that her feelings toward Trainer Yasui seemed special and asked what they meant.
• California Spangle and Frostfall began to tease Kitasan Black, but Adayar stopped them and said it was not the time for jokes.

Adayar confronted Kitasan Black about how her feelings for Trainer Yasui were hurting her training ahead of the Arima Kinen. The Overseas Horse Girls offered different advice, and Frostfall suggested Kitasan talk to someone she trusted, leading them to Tokai Teio.

• Adayar told Kitasan Black that her distracted training had become obvious and could jeopardize her chance at the Autumn Triple Crown.
• Kitasan Black admitted she refused to lose the Arima Kinen, and Adayar warned that unresolved feelings could also cause trouble for Trainer Yasui.
• Adayar suggested Kitasan’s feelings might be love but said only Kitasan could define them, especially given the Japanese training environment.
• California Spangle advised Kitasan to confess directly to Trainer Yasui, while Frostfall guessed Kitasan would hesitate and suggested confiding in someone she trusted.
• Adayar, California Spangle, and Frostfall looked toward Tokai Teio, who was chatting with members of the overseas teams.

Kitasan Black nervously made an excuse to skip lunch so she could seek advice about her feelings, while her trainer and teammates discussed her recent decline in training. The chapter revealed that Kitasan Black’s Race Reaction Speed had slowed because she was easily distracted, and Anjing Zhen had not yet found a solution.

• Kitasan Black told Anjing Zhen she would skip lunch, then made a flustered excuse to Almond Eye about visiting Crown-chan before rushing away.
• Almond Eye asked Anjing Zhen, Agnes Tachyon, and Daiwa Scarlet whether they had noticed Kitasan Black acting strangely, and they cited delays in her training reactions and concentration.
• Anjing Zhen reassured Almond Eye that Kitasan Black’s fluctuations might be normal fatigue after two consecutive G1 races, then redirected her attention to saving seats in the cafeteria.
• Agnes Tachyon asked Anjing Zhen whether he had found a solution for Kitasan Black, and he fell silent before recognizing that her Race Reaction Speed had slowed because she was easily distracted.

Anjing Zhen Shen suspected Kitasan Black’s reaction delays were tied to something beyond her physical condition and decided he needed to understand her feelings. Meanwhile, Kitasan asked Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen what to do about liking her Trainer, leaving them shocked.

• Agnes Tachyon’s data showed that Kitasan Black’s reactions had slowed by about 150 milliseconds despite her other abilities remaining strong.
• Anjing Zhen Shen told Agnes Tachyon he had an idea about Kitasan Black’s condition and wanted to try something before explaining it.
• Kitasan Black brought lunch to Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen in the Student Council Office.
• Kitasan Black nervously asked the two seniors what she should do if her feelings for her Trainer were romantic.
• Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen choked in surprise as Kitasan Black apologized and admitted she had been unable to concentrate during training.

Kitasan Black told Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen that her feelings for Anjing Zhen were disrupting her training ahead of the Arima Kinen. When Anjing Zhen came looking for her, the two seniors hid her under the desk and tried to keep him from discovering her.

• Kitasan Black admitted that thinking about Anjing Zhen made her heart race and hurt her concentration, worsening her training.
• Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen began considering how to advise Kitasan Black when Anjing Zhen knocked and asked to speak with the Emperor President.
• Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen hurriedly hid Kitasan Black beneath the desk and concealed her reflection in the office window.
• Anjing Zhen told Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen that he had come to find Kitasan Black, and Kitasan Black accidentally hit her head on the desk.
• Mejiro McQueen and Tokai Teio claimed the noise came from the old desk as Anjing Zhen started to investigate.

Anjing Zhen visited Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen while looking for Kitasan Black, but Teio stopped him when he was about to leave. Teio realized Kitasan Black wanted to know Anjing’s feelings about her and proposed hiding her in a display cabinet so she could listen to them talk.

• Anjing Zhen decided not to discuss Kitasan Black’s Arima Kinen preparations with the busy Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen.
• Tokai Teio stopped Anjing Zhen and asked whether what he wanted to discuss was related to Kitasan Black.
• Kitasan Black accidentally hit her head beneath the desk, and Mejiro McQueen covered up the noise by blaming the desk.
• Tokai Teio sent Anjing Zhen outside, then brought Kitasan Black out from under the desk and asked about her feelings for him.
• Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen proposed hiding Kitasan Black inside the display cabinet so she could hear Anjing Zhen talk about love.

Anjing Zhen visited Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen to discuss his concern that he had neglected conversations with Kitasan Black outside training. Hidden behind a display cabinet, Kitasan Black listened as Tokai Teio asked what he would do if Kitasan Black’s trust in him became affection.

• Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen explained why they had moved the display cabinet before welcoming Anjing Zhen into the office.
• Anjing Zhen told Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen that he worried he had focused too much on Kitasan Black’s training and racing.
• Kitasan Black listened from inside the cabinet and realized Tokai Teio had arranged the conversation for her to hear.
• Tokai Teio asked Anjing Zhen what he would do if Kitasan Black’s trust in him deepened into a different kind of affection.

Tokai Teio asked Anjing Zhen what he would do if Kitasan Black fell in love with him, while Kitasan listened from behind a cabinet. Anjing recalled her many endearing qualities and said he probably could not refuse her.

• Tokai Teio explained to Anjing Zhen that romance between a Trainer and an Assigned Horse Girl could bring complications.
• Tokai Teio asked Anjing what he would do if Kitasan Black fell in love with him.
• Kitasan Black listened from behind the display cabinet, anxiously waiting for Anjing's answer.
• Anjing described Kitasan's kindness, enthusiasm, determination, and everyday preferences.
• Anjing said that Kitasan's trust and affection would be too precious for him to refuse.

Anjing Zhen explained that he understood Kitasan Black deeply but wanted to keep her focused on her racing dream and handle any feelings between them with care. Hidden behind a display cabinet, Kitasan Black felt reassured and accepted, while Tokai Teio subtly comforted her and Anjing Zhen remained unaware she was listening.

• Anjing Zhen described Kitasan Black's habits, efforts, and vulnerabilities, astonishing Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen.
• Hidden behind the display cabinet, Kitasan Black heard Anjing Zhen's words and felt her anxieties fade into a deep sense of security.
• Anjing Zhen told Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen that feelings required patience and responsibility, and that Kitasan Black's racing dream and his duties came first.
• Anjing Zhen said he had wanted to check whether Kitasan Black had something troubling her and trusted her to understand what mattered most.
• Tokai Teio called Kitasan Black sensible and good, subtly reassuring her behind the cabinet while Anjing Zhen relaxed without realizing she was there.

Anjing Zhen coordinated the Student Council’s support for Kitasan Black’s Arima Kinen preparations. After hearing his confidence in her, Kitasan regained her resolve to race and then realized she was late for class.

• Anjing Zhen outlined the training plan and asked Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen to coordinate venue, broadcasting, and sponsor arrangements for the Arima Kinen.
• Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen agreed to handle the Student Council’s tasks, and Anjing Zhen left the office.
• Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen let Kitasan Black out from behind the display cabinet and reassured her that Anjing Zhen trusted and believed in her.
• Kitasan Black declared she would give her all and charge toward the Arima Kinen, while Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen promised to cheer for her.
• Tokai Teio joked about resigning as Student Council President, and Mejiro McQueen agreed to keep it secret in exchange for a limited-edition parfait.
• Kitasan Black noticed the time and realized the first afternoon class had already ended, leaving her late.

After apologizing to Satono Diamond for her recent worries, Kitasan Black learned that her friends had noticed and wanted to help her. She declared that she had put her doubts behind her and would focus on winning the Arima Kinen, stirring the fighting spirit of her rivals.

• Kitasan Black apologized to her Japanese language teacher for rushing out of class and promised not to be late again.
• Kitasan Black told Satono Diamond and the others that Tokai Teio had asked her to help, concealing what had happened earlier.
• Kitasan Black apologized to Satono Diamond for disturbing her sleep, and Satono revealed that she and their friends had noticed Kitasan Black was troubled and planned to take her out to relax.
• Duramente explained that Symboli-senpai had already arranged tickets for an event so the group could unwind.
• Kitasan Black said she had resolved her worries and would give everything to win the Arima Kinen, prompting her companions to show their competitive determination.