Chapter Summaries

While teaching Kitasan Black to cook, Senior Oguri Cap heard her express excitement about the Arima Kinen and asked why she wanted to win it. Kitasan Black began listing the people she wanted to make proud, but Oguri Cap’s questioning left her motives unresolved.

• Senior Oguri Cap patiently taught Kitasan Black how to prepare dinner and dessert, and praised her cooking and racing ability.
• Kitasan Black asked how Senior Oguri Cap, Tamamo-senpai, and the others planned to help Crown-chan, and Oguri Cap said they would await Inari’s and Crown’s Trainer’s guidance.
• Kitasan Black said she hoped to race against her seniors in the Arima Kinen and wanted to run a race like Tokai Teio’s.
• Kitasan Black asked Senior Oguri Cap how to win the Arima Kinen, and Oguri Cap asked her why she wanted victory.
• Kitasan Black said she wanted to make Grandpa proud, keep racing alongside Crown-chan and her friends, and repay her Trainer’s efforts.

Oguri Cap asked Kitasan Black whether she had a reason of her own to win, beyond racing for the people who supported and inspired her. Meanwhile, Anjing Zhen discussed the Zone with Inari One, Tamamo Cross, and Super Little Bay, who explained that steady training and other strengths could win races without it.

• Oguri Cap told Kitasan Black that her reasons for wanting to win were valid, then asked whether she had a reason to win for herself.
• Anjing Zhen asked the Horse Girls about the Zone while discussing the year-end G1 race at the mahjong table.
• Inari One questioned whether Anjing Zhen was training Kitasan Black to reach the Zone, and he explained that he favored practical basic training over pursuing it.
• Tamamo Cross compared the Zone to a moon reflected in water and agreed that Kitasan Black should train steadily instead of chasing it.
• Inari One and Tamamo Cross pointed to Super Little Bay as proof that a Horse Girl could win G1 races without the Zone.
• Super Little Bay said that speed, strength, stamina, perseverance, tactics, mindset, and understanding with a Trainer could win races, and recalled winning the Tenno Sho Autumn without the Zone.

Kitasan Black reflected on Senior Oguri Cap’s advice about finding a reason to run that belonged only to herself, and recognized the same pure devotion in her grandfather’s love of music. A violin performance led her to Wanlai Zhengming, who enthusiastically cornered her and invited her to become a master performer at Nakayama.

• Kitasan Black returned to her classes and training but kept thinking about Senior Oguri Cap’s words on having a personal reason to run.
• Kitasan Black considered the people and dreams that had motivated her, then wondered what she would run for if she were alone.
• Kitasan Black recognized in Senior Oguri Cap’s eyes the same pure devotion she had seen in her grandfather when he spoke about music.
• Kitasan Black heard a skilled violinist playing beneath a tree and met Wanlai Zhengming, who praised her performance at the Kikuka Sho concert.
• Wanlai Zhengming approached Kitasan Black, trapped her against a tree, and invited her to make beautiful music together at Nakayama.

Kitasan Black met Wanlai Zhengming, who described racing as a stage where she offered her own melody, prompting Kitasan Black to reflect on her own reason for running. After training, she shared her thoughts with Anjing Zhen and said she was grateful to have her Trainer beside her.

• Kitasan Black realized that the strange Horse Girl was Wanlai Zhengming, who was entering the Arima Kinen, and discovered that her violin music came from a player.
• Wanlai Zhengming declared that she would offer the magnificent stars her own one-of-a-kind melody, no matter the setbacks she faced.
• Kitasan Black wondered why she ran, then continued training under Anjing Zhen without letting the unanswered question consume her.
• Kitasan Black reflected that the Shining Series involved many difficult issues, but she could keep moving forward with conviction and did not have to face them alone.
• At dinner, Kitasan Black told Anjing Zhen about meeting Wanlai Zhengming and her conversation with Senior Oguri Cap, then said she was glad to have her Trainer.

Anjing Zhen helped Kitasan Black think about finding her own reason for running by sharing what he knew about Oguri Cap’s past. Kitasan Black learned that Oguri Cap had been born with a serious leg disorder, and Anjing Zhen suggested that overcoming it was central to her reason for running.

• Kitasan Black told Anjing Zhen she trusted him to help her with questions about racing and worried she was causing him trouble.
• Anjing Zhen reassured Kitasan Black and advised her to look back on her past experiences to find a reason for running that belonged to her.
• Kitasan Black enthusiastically recounted Oguri Cap’s racing achievements but admitted she knew nothing about Oguri Cap’s life before her debut.
• Anjing Zhen showed Kitasan Black records stating that Oguri Cap had been born with a congenital nerve disorder in her legs.
• Anjing Zhen explained that Oguri Cap’s journey from being unable to stand to becoming a legendary racer may be her unique reason for running.

Anjing Zhen Shen urged Kitasan Black to look back on her experiences to find her own reason for running, then shifted to discussing how she might face Wanlai Zhengming. He explained how the Zone could disrupt a racer’s strengths and shared Super Little Bay’s advice to focus on the abilities best suited to each runner.

• Anjing Zhen Shen told Kitasan Black that her past experiences could reveal an inner source of strength and a personal reason to run.
• Kitasan Black recalled the Kikuka Sho and said that memories of her time with Anjing Zhen Shen and everyone else might help her keep running, though she still could not name a reason of her own.
• Anjing Zhen Shen grew flustered by Kitasan Black’s closeness, then redirected their conversation to practical race preparation and Wanlai Zhengming.
• Kitasan Black asked whether Anjing Zhen Shen had learned the secret of the Zone from Tamamo-senpai and the others, and he explained that they had discussed training and ways to counter Zone users.
• Anjing Zhen Shen recounted Super Little Bay’s advice that racers should not chase the Zone if it undermined their strengths, especially long-distance runners who relied on stamina and race control.

Anjing Zhen explained to Kitasan Black what he had learned from Tamamo Cross and Super Little Bay about the zone and Race Domination. They began preparing together for the Arima Kinen by studying Wanlai Zhengming, whose racing record suggested a possible weakness in competing for position.

• Inari One warned Anjing Zhen that obsessing over the zone had harmed her racing, while Tamamo Cross said she had notes about it and Super Little Bay offered notes on Race Domination.
• After studying the notes, Anjing Zhen told Kitasan Black they would use Super Little Bay's Race Domination strategy to prepare for the Arima Kinen.
• Anjing Zhen brought Kitasan Black to observe the contenders training, and she noticed Wanlai Zhengming's serious, meticulous focus.
• Anjing Zhen explained that Wanlai Zhengming's repeated second-place finishes in high-level races showed her strength, but her narrow losses suggested a weakness in competing for position.

Anjing Zhen and Kitasan Black watched Wanlai Zhengming practice accelerating through a turn, and Kitasan carefully analyzed her technique. Anjing explained its risks and advantages, then nearly offended Kitasan by calling her heavy before awkwardly describing her as powerful.

• Anjing Zhen brought Kitasan Black to observe Wanlai Zhengming training with several Horse Girls as practice partners.
• Kitasan Black noticed Wanlai Zhengming used shorter strides and a smaller lean to accelerate through the turn, and suggested she might be preparing to pass rivals later.
• Anjing Zhen agreed that Wanlai Zhengming’s approach could build speed early, though it demanded excellent balance and carried risks if she was jostled.
• Anjing Zhen said Wanlai Zhengming was lighter and more agile than Kitasan Black, prompting Kitasan to ask if he was calling her fat.
• Anjing Zhen nearly called Kitasan Black heavy, then hastily praised her as solid, grounded, and powerful.

Anjing Zhen helped Kitasan Black prepare for the Arima Kinen by studying her opponents, and she grew excited about facing the race alongside him. At lunch, Kitasan Black discussed who might enter the race and learned that fan resentment could keep Futanari Shingang from qualifying.

• Anjing Zhen and Kitasan Black analyzed Wanlai Zhengming’s cornering and possible tactics for the Arima Kinen.
• Over the following days, Anjing Zhen took Kitasan Black to observe the other contenders, and they reviewed their notes each night.
• Kitasan Black felt excited that she and Anjing Zhen were preparing to fight side by side and win the Arima Kinen.
• Duramente asked Kitasan Black about the names in her notebook, and Tsubasa Hayate lamented that an injury had cost her a chance to race in the Arima Kinen.
• Anjing Zhen explained that fans voted impulsively and that Futanari Shingang’s popularity may have fallen because supporters resented her failure to win the Triple Crown.

Kitasan Black worried about Satono Crown facing senior rivals in the Tenno Sho Autumn, while her friends discussed how difficult it was to beat upperclassmen. Duramente tried to comfort Kitasan by reminding her how formidable Gold Ship would be at the Arima Kinen, but Kitasan took the warning as a challenge and resolved not to back down.

• Ribbon Keiko changed the subject after stopping Tsubasa Hayate, and Kitasan Black listed Clear Sky’s recent victories before worrying about Satono Crown’s upcoming Tenno Sho Autumn.
• Tsubasa Hayate and Duramente warned that defeating senior Horse Girls was difficult, and Kitasan Black silently reflected on the gap between herself and her seniors.
• Duramente tried to reassure Kitasan Black by pointing out Gold Ship’s many G1 victories and her strength as a rival in the Arima Kinen.
• Futanari Shingang stopped Duramente and pointed out that her attempted comfort had only made Kitasan Black look more discouraged.
• Kitasan Black said she understood Duramente meant well and vowed not to back down from the Arima Kinen, asking why she could not achieve what Gold Ship had.

Kitasan Black reflected on her determination to give everything in the Arima Kinen despite doubting she could beat Gold Ship. As the race approached, Satono Diamond spoke with her family about her upcoming Condition Race, while Kitasan wrestled with her worry over Clear Sky’s strength and felt ashamed when Gold Ship’s Japan Cup defeat gave her a moment of hope.

• Kitasan Black resolved to keep training and race with all her strength for the people who supported her, believing she still had a chance to win the Arima Kinen.
• More than a month later, Kitasan returned to the dorm and quietly listened as Satono Diamond’s family and Satono Crown encouraged her ahead of the Condition Race.
• Kitasan recalled Clear Sky’s victory over Satono Crown in the Tenno Sho Autumn and worried about facing the seniors in the Arima Kinen.
• Kitasan watched Gold Ship finish tenth and Clear Sky finish third in the Japan Cup, which Shonan Haze won.
• Kitasan wondered whether Gold Ship’s strength had declined, then felt ashamed of the relief she had briefly felt.

Kitasan Black reflected on her shameful wish that Gold Ship would weaken, while celebrating Satono Diamond’s successful debut. After learning Satono Crown considered her one of the strongest Horse Girls of their generation, Kitasan Black decided to tell Trainer Yasui what had been troubling her.

• Kitasan Black remembered Satono Diamond’s impressive debut victory and praised her during their video call.
• Satono Diamond explained that she planned to travel to Nakayama Racecourse after her race so she could watch Kitasan Black compete in the Arima Kinen.
• Satono Diamond told Kitasan Black that Satono Crown had felt pressure facing her and had chosen the Tenno Sho Autumn partly because she doubted she could beat her in the Kikuka Sho.
• Kitasan Black compared Satono Crown’s openness with her own silence about her feelings and decided to be honest with Trainer Yasui.
• Satono Diamond encouraged Kitasan Black to tell Trainer Yasui everything, and Kitasan Black rushed off to find him.

Kitasan Black rushed to Anjing Zhen's apartment to discuss something urgent, while Satono Diamond secretly followed after her. At the door, Kitasan Black spotted Anjing Zhen wearing pajamas styled after her Victory Outfit and became flustered as he tried to explain they were a merchandise sample.

• Kitasan Black hurried out of her dorm, telling Daiwa Scarlet she needed to speak urgently with Trainer.
• Satono Diamond slipped out in black clothes, made an excuse to Daiwa Scarlet, and went looking for Kitasan Black.
• Kitasan Black arrived at Anjing Zhen's apartment and knocked before realizing she should have called first.
• Anjing Zhen opened the door in pajamas whose colors and details resembled Kitasan Black's Victory Outfit.
• Anjing Zhen explained that the pajamas were a sample from a commercial collaboration, not something he had specially ordered.

Kitasan Black visited Anjing Zhen to discuss Gold Ship’s declining performance, and he reviewed the evidence with her. He found no sign of physical problems and wondered whether Gold Ship had ever truly given her all in a race.

• Kitasan Black realized she had mistaken Anjing Zhen’s pajamas for a special show of support, then told him she had something important to discuss.
• Anjing Zhen learned that Kitasan Black was worried Gold Ship’s abilities had declined and invited her inside to talk.
• Anjing Zhen explained that he and his team had been monitoring the Arima Kinen contenders, and that Gold Artisan had asked him about Gold Ship’s condition.
• Anjing Zhen showed Kitasan Black Gold Ship’s medical records, which showed no injuries or illnesses despite four years of racing and twenty-seven starts.
• Anjing Zhen wondered whether Gold Ship had ever truly given her all, because her physical condition seemed brand-new.

Anjing Zhen concluded that Gold Ship’s poor recent race results might stem from a decline in her mental abilities rather than her physical condition. He showed Kitasan Black Gold Ship’s Implicit Association Test results, which suggested her reactions were slower than normal even when presented with familiar words.

• Kitasan Black recalled Gold Ship’s races and agreed that Gold Ship had appeared to give her all in each one.
• Anjing Zhen explained that mental abilities such as concentration, reaction speed, and resistance to interference were essential in races.
• Anjing Zhen showed Kitasan Black Gold Ship’s Implicit Association Test and explained how it measured reaction time, concentration, and resistance to distractions.
• Kitasan Black realized that the test treated Gold Ship’s unusual self-designed training methods as familiar and conventional training terms as distractions.
• Anjing Zhen said Gold Ship’s results showed unusually slow reactions and suggested that her mental abilities had declined.

Anjing Zhen explained why he had withheld details about Kitasan Black’s Arima Kinen opponents and showed her the extensive mental preparation he had made. His analysis reshaped her understanding of racing into a complex contest among formidable rivals, leaving her newly able to examine her own feelings and opponents objectively.

• Kitasan Black asked Anjing Zhen why he had not told her sooner about her opponents, and he said he had wanted to prevent her from relying on their weaknesses or mistaking them for easy victories.
• Anjing Zhen showed Kitasan Black his mental preparation plan and explained that Gold Ship’s imperfect mental state did not make her an easy opponent given her physical condition.
• Anjing Zhen described the strengths and weaknesses of Wanlai Zhengming, Clear Sky, Golden Lyric, and Katsuno Stone, warning that the Arima Kinen would be a fierce early fight for the Lead Position.
• Anjing Zhen warned that Nakayama Racecourse offered Kitasan Black little chance to take the Lead Position later if she failed to secure it at the start.
• Kitasan Black reconsidered how she viewed racing and her rivals, recognizing them as active, complex competitors and examining her own doubts with greater objectivity.

Kitasan Black regained her fighting spirit after learning how deeply Anjing Zhen had prepared for the Arima Kinen, and she rushed back to her dorm before curfew. On December 27, she and Anjing Zhen began simulating the race with a sand table she had made, identifying likely early position battles among the runners.

• Kitasan Black asked Anjing Zhen how to handle Golden Lyric and Katsuno Stone at the Arima Kinen, then enthusiastically resumed their preparations.
• Anjing Zhen reminded Kitasan Black that Senior Yamato would lock her out if she returned to the dorm late, and she hurried off, promising to work hard with him the next day.
• Anjing Zhen checked his schedule before going to sleep and briefly looked at the red-circled date, 27.
• On December 27 at Nakayama Racecourse, Kitasan Black presented Anjing Zhen with a detailed sand table she had made for race simulations.
• Kitasan Black placed pieces for Wanlai Zhengming, Golden Lyric, Katsuno Stone, Rifaru, and herself in their starting gates, and Anjing Zhen predicted that they would form three position-battling groups after the start.

Anjing Zhen guided Kitasan Black through a detailed simulation of the Arima Kinen, helping her analyze the opening positions and possible moves by her rivals. After they finished their preparations, he left her to get ready and recognized that the race would also be Gold Ship's retirement race.

• Kitasan Black explained how the Arima Kinen's starting lanes and early course layout would shape the fight for position.
• Anjing Zhen analyzed Wanlai Zhengming and Golden Lyric's likely opening moves and described the risks of staying close to Rifaru.
• Kitasan Black judged that she would need to adapt to Katsuno Stone's uncertain opening strategy and agreed to keep her distance from Rifaru until at least the second turn.
• Anjing Zhen praised Kitasan Black and led her through simulations of the race's possible opening scenarios and later stages.
• Anjing Zhen and Kitasan Black checked her equipment and supplies before he left the Preparation Room, anxious about the race and Gold Ship's retirement.

As the Arima Kinen approached, Anjing Zhen struggled with anxiety over Kitasan Black’s race and Gold Ship’s retirement. Tokai Teio found him outside the Preparation Room, while Deep Impact, Maestro, The Matriarch, and Gold Artisan headed toward the stands.

• Anjing Zhen reflected on Gold Ship’s retirement announcement and the Arima Kinen’s importance as a traditional farewell race.
• Anjing Zhen worried that Kitasan Black might face setbacks despite her rigorous training and preparation.
• Tokai Teio approached Anjing Zhen and warned that his nervousness could affect Little Kita.
• Anjing Zhen recognized Deep Impact, Maestro, The Matriarch, and Gold Artisan with Tokai Teio.
• Tokai Teio sent Deep Impact and the others to reserve seats near the finish line, then asked Anjing Zhen about his nerves.

Tokai Teio found Anjing Zhen nervous about Kitasan Black’s Arima Kinen and steadied him with encouragement and praise. As the racecourse fell silent, Kitasan Black entered the Starting Gate and the race began.

• Tokai Teio explained that she had noticed Anjing Zhen’s nerves and walked with him toward the stands.
• Tokai Teio told Anjing Zhen that Kitasan Black had seemed composed, and that she had promised to wait for her at the Finish Line.
• At the stands, Tokai Teio praised Anjing Zhen as a Trainer and said she was glad she had entrusted Kitasan Black to him.
• Anjing Zhen watched the Introduction Segment and felt Tokai Teio’s sincere words calm him as he waited for Kitasan Black.
• The commentator announced the contenders at Nakayama Racecourse, and the Starting Gates opened at the start of the race.