Chapter Summaries

Satono Crown warned Satono Diamond that Kitasan Black would be a major obstacle both in the upcoming race and in her future, while urging her to focus on the strong rivals awaiting her in the Kikuka Sho. The Horse Girls gathered at the starting gates for a simulation race, leaving Satono Diamond ready to study her opponents and test her strategies.

• Satono Diamond analyzed Kitasan Black’s leading style and endurance, worrying that matching her pace could leave too little stamina for a final burst.
• Satono Crown told Satono Diamond that Kitasan Black was the strongest opponent in the upcoming race and would remain a major obstacle in their futures.
• Satono Crown redirected Satono Diamond’s attention to the Kikuka Sho rivals, including Mikki Rocket, Tenryu Horse, and Seven Colors Line.
• Satono Diamond refocused on using the simulation race to assess her strength, study her opponents, and prepare strategies for the Kikuka Sho.
• Daiwa Scarlet guided the warmed-up Horse Girls toward the starting gates as spectators gathered around the training ground.

Kitasan Black agreed to speak with Mikki Rocket after the race, believing Mikki was having trouble with her trainer. Satono Crown began announcing the 3,000-meter simulation race, which ended as the gates opened and the runners surged forward.

• Mikki Rocket asked Kitasan Black to meet after the race and talk about getting along with a trainer.
• Kitasan Black agreed and resolved to offer Mikki Rocket support if she was struggling with her trainer.
• Daiwa Scarlet reassured the nervous Satono Crown as the race staff prepared to begin.
• Satono Crown confirmed the contestants were ready and announced the start of the turf 3,000-meter simulation race.
• The Starting Gates opened, and a black shadow was the first to burst onto the track.

Kitasan Black took an immediate lead, while Satono Crown commentated on the race and reflected on how far her childhood friend had pulled ahead. Milan Hai accelerated to challenge Kitasan Black for the lead, and Daiwa Scarlet explained the bold move to the watching Horse Girls.

• Kitasan Black burst from the starting gate and took first place.
• Satono Crown began commentating, praised Kitasan Black, and listed the runners’ positions.
• Daiwa Scarlet reassured Satono Crown and explained Kitasan Black’s strong start and the importance of adapting to a racecourse.
• Milan Hai accelerated through the pack and closed in on Kitasan Black.
• Daiwa Scarlet praised Milan Hai for challenging the frontrunner and said the two lead runners’ clash would continue.

Kitasan Black was pursued fiercely by Milan Hai, Mikki Rocket, and Almond Eye in a simulation race, and recognized in their fighting spirit the same determination she once had when chasing her seniors. She welcomed the challenge and urged them to give the race everything they had.

• Kitasan Black maintained her pace as Milan Hai chased her for nearly twenty seconds at a speed that surprised her.
• Kitasan Black glanced back and saw Milan Hai pursuing her with fierce determination.
• Mikki Rocket surged past Milan Hai, and Almond Eye joined the chase with the same competitive spirit.
• Kitasan Black realized that their pursuit reminded her of how she had once chased Tokai Teio and other seniors.
• Kitasan Black embraced being chased and challenged the juniors to come after her with everything they had.

Kitasan Black struggled to decide how to respond to the younger racers’ fierce pursuit during the 3,000-meter race. Agnes Tachyon’s words helped Anjing Zhen realize that the challengers were driven by Kitasan Black herself, and he recognized that she had become the peak the next generation sought to surpass.

• Kitasan Black considered whether to accelerate, conserve stamina, or enter her domain, but could not settle on a strategy.
• Anjing Zhen noticed that Little Anzu, Mikki Rocket, Milan Hai, and the other racers were pursuing Kitasan Black at a punishing pace.
• Agnes Tachyon described how each generation challenged and replaced the Horse Girls at the peak in the search for the limits of their speed.
• Anjing Zhen realized the younger racers were chasing Kitasan Black because they admired her and saw her as the senior they wanted to surpass.

Kitasan Black switched from a Slow Escape to a Great Escape and rapidly widened her lead in the race. As the runners entered the third turn, Agnes Tachyon and Anjing Zhen judged that the others had little chance of catching her.

• Agnes Tachyon recognized Kitasan Black's Great Escape as the right response to the race, and Anjing Zhen realized she had reacted to his words.
• Kitasan Black accelerated sharply, leaving Mikki Rocket struggling to keep pace and Milan Hai questioning whether she could reach that level.
• Nozomi held third place instead of blindly accelerating, remembering Anjing Zhen's advice to avoid falling into Kitasan Black's rhythm.
• Satono Crown worried whether Satono Diamond could handle Kitasan Black's pace as Daiwa Scarlet reported that Kitasan Black's lead had grown to seven horse lengths.
• Agnes Tachyon and Anjing Zhen doubted the trailing runners could catch Kitasan Black as the field approached the third turn.

Kitasan Black won the simulated Kikuka Sho by a huge margin and was swarmed by younger Horse Girls seeking photos and autographs. Little Anzu helped manage the crowd, while Agnes Tachyon checked the racers’ condition and reassured Anjing Zhen that ordinary rest should be enough.

• Kitasan Black won the simulated Kikuka Sho and slowed down in the runoff area as the other racers finished far behind her.
• Horse Girls crowded around Kitasan Black to request photos, autographs, and gifts, and she cheerfully accommodated them.
• Little Anzu pushed through the crowd and organized the autograph session, advising the students to line up and let carbonated drinks go flat.
• Little Anzu privately wondered how long it would take her to earn the same enthusiasm as Kitasan Black before turning her attention back to helping her senior.
• Agnes Tachyon reviewed the race data with Anjing Zhen and concluded that the racers had undergone strenuous but manageable exertion, with normal rest likely sufficient for recovery.

Agnes Tachyon analyzed the simulation race and explained how Kitasan Black’s running style disrupted her opponents, while the Satono Sisters apologized for the race’s commentary and requested the race data. Satono Diamond then asked Anjing Zhen, Agnes Tachyon, and Daiwa Scarlet to identify the mistakes in her own performance.

• Agnes Tachyon reviewed the stride-frequency data and said Kitasan Black had used Great Escape to disrupt her opponents’ rhythm.
• Agnes Tachyon explained that the others should have conserved stamina and pursued Kitasan Black with a Final Burst on the short final straight.
• Satono Crown apologized for freezing during the latter half of her commentary, and Daiwa Scarlet reassured her.
• Daiwa Scarlet offered to copy the race data for the Satono Sisters, including Agnes Tachyon’s marked observations.
• Satono Diamond asked Anjing Zhen, Agnes Tachyon, and Daiwa Scarlet what she had done wrong during the race.

After Satono Diamond asked for advice about the race, Anjing Zhen explained how she had centered her strategy on following Kitasan Black and had spent too much stamina chasing her acceleration. Satono Diamond struggled with her defeat and doubts about her future, while Anjing Zhen reflected that she still had room to grow.

• Satono Diamond and Satono Crown asked Anjing Zhen and the others for advice, and Anjing Zhen began reviewing Satono Diamond's race strategy.
• Anjing Zhen explained that Satono Diamond had watched Kitasan Black closely, stayed with the pack, and then accelerated to keep up when Kitasan Black pulled ahead.
• Satono Diamond admitted that she had chased Kitasan Black because she feared losing her rhythm, then recalled exhausting herself and losing the ability to sprint at the finish.
• Satono Diamond questioned whether she could ever reach Kitasan Black's strength, and Satono Crown comforted her by patting her shoulder.
• Anjing Zhen remembered Kitasan Black's earlier anxieties and concluded that Satono Diamond still had room to grow as he watched Kitasan Black and Almond Eye chatting nearby.

Anjing Zhen analyzed Satono Diamond’s choices in the simulation race and explained how Kitasan Black had tested her reactions by changing the pace. Satono Diamond understood that she had wasted stamina by following Kitasan Black instead of trusting her own race plan, then wondered whether Anjing Zhen trained Kitasan Black and Almond Eye gently.

• Anjing Zhen told Satono Diamond that Kitasan Black had tested how her opponents responded to sudden changes in the race.
• Anjing Zhen replayed the race footage and showed Satono Diamond that she had spent too much stamina following Kitasan Black’s rhythm.
• Anjing Zhen urged Satono Diamond to trust her own pace and her stronger finishing speed instead of letting Kitasan Black dictate her race.
• Anjing Zhen noted that Almond Eye had conserved stamina and maintained her own rhythm, though she still lacked the seniors’ raw ability.
• Satono Diamond thanked Anjing Zhen for his advice, then said she envied Kitasan Black if his usual training was gentler.

After Satono Diamond thanked Anjing Zhen for his guidance, he reflected on how Kitasan Black’s fame could affect her juniors and opponents. Kitasan Black then asked Anjing Zhen to advise more students and requested permission to meet Mikki-chan on her day off.

• Satono Diamond thanked Daiwa Scarlet and Anjing Zhen for sharing training data and advice before leaving with her sister.
• Kitasan Black and Crown-chan arrived, and Anjing Zhen teased Kitasan Black about her growing popularity.
• Anjing Zhen considered how Kitasan Black’s fame might influence her juniors and resolved to discuss the pressure of being a senior with her.
• Kitasan Black told Anjing Zhen that other students wanted his guidance and asked whether she could go out on her day off to speak with Mikki-chan.

Anjing Zhen and Agnes Tachyon prepared a new training camp and assembled an unusual obstacle course from black alloy pipes. Agnes questioned whether it could help train Horse Girls, so Anjing invited her to race him and see for herself.

• Anjing Zhen, Agnes Tachyon, and Daiwa Scarlet reviewed the simulation race and inspected the training grounds before beginning foundational training with Kitasan Black and Almond Eye.
• On their rest day, Kitasan Black and Almond Eye went to meet Mikki Rocket, while Daiwa Scarlet headed into town to buy training and research equipment.
• Anjing Zhen and Agnes Tachyon collected delayed deliveries and brought the boxes to the training grounds.
• Anjing Zhen assembled a crisscrossing course from black alloy pipes and explained that it was for Chase Training.
• Agnes Tachyon questioned how the strange pipe course could train anyone and wondered if it was a drain-clearing tool.
• Anjing Zhen invited Agnes Tachyon to race him so she could understand the training method.

Kitasan Black met Little Anzu at Atami’s Black Ship Station for a planned outing with Mikki Rocket, but Mikki’s arrival exposed Kitasan’s identity to nearby fans. Kitasan distracted the crowd and hurried her companions onto the train, leaving them relieved that their trip could continue.

• Kitasan Black and Little Anzu waited in disguise at the Black Ship Station, where Little Anzu wondered why Mikki Rocket had not arrived.
• Mikki Rocket called out to Kitasan Black, prompting nearby passengers to recognize Kitasan and draw excited fans toward them.
• Kitasan pretended to search for herself in the crowd, confusing the fans and easing the commotion.
• When the train arrived, Kitasan led Little Anzu and Mikki Rocket aboard and hurried with them to the last carriage.
• Kitasan and her companions sighed with relief, believing they had avoided being surrounded and saved their outing.

Kitasan Black reflected on how her popularity and senior status had changed, then encountered reporter Otoya Shiyuezi on the train. Otoya asked whether Kitasan Black planned to pursue the Autumn Triple Crown and face the Monster of Fuchu.

• Mikki Rocket apologized to Kitasan Black for drawing attention to her, and Kitasan reassured her.
• Kitasan Black considered how popularity and her role as a senior had begun to affect races and her daily life.
• Otoya Shiyuezi introduced herself as a reporter from Flash Monthly and asked Kitasan Black for an interview.
• Anzu confidently told Otoya that she would become more famous than her seniors after debuting, and Otoya wrote down her remark.
• Otoya asked Kitasan Black about the Autumn Triple Crown and whether she had considered facing the Monster of Fuchu.

Kitasan Black faced an unexpected interview from reporter Otoya Shiyuezi, who asked about the mysterious “Monster of Fuchu” and Kitasan’s future races. After learning Otoya lacked permission for a formal interview, Kitasan agreed to chat casually, and Otoya asked whether she would pursue the Autumn Triple Crown route.

• Otoya Shiyuezi surprised Kitasan Black with questions, leaving Kitasan to handle the interview without Anjing Zhen’s prepared answers.
• Kitasan Black, Almond Eye, and Mikki Rocket discussed the “Monster of Fuchu,” which they associated with the Tenno Sho Autumn and a possible curse.
• Kitasan Black asked Otoya Shiyuezi to show her interview permit, and Otoya admitted she had no authorization to interview Kitasan.
• Otoya Shiyuezi put away her notebook and offered to discuss the Monster of Fuchu as casual conversation instead.
• Kitasan Black agreed to talk about her upcoming races, and Otoya Shiyuezi asked if she would pursue the Autumn Triple Crown route.

Kitasan Black handled Otoya Shiyuezi’s interview with carefully prepared answers before discussing the Tenno Sho Autumn’s supposed “Monster of Fuchu.” She rejected the idea that a curse decided races, leaving Almond Eye and Mikki Rocket reassured by her belief that strength could overcome it.

• Kitasan Black answered Otoya Shiyuezi’s questions about her racing plans, strengths, training, and daily life with responses inspired by Anjing Zhen.
• Otoya Shiyuezi shifted the conversation to the “Monster of Fuchu,” a rumor that Tenno Sho Autumn favorites often lost.
• Otoya Shiyuezi described how Oguri Cap, Mejiro McQueen, Tokai Teio, and Rice Shower had failed to win as favorites, making Almond Eye and Mikki Rocket worry about Kitasan Black’s prospects.
• Kitasan Black explained that strong rivals and race strategies, not a curse, accounted for past upsets, and cited T.M. Opera O and Vodka as favorites who had won.
• Kitasan Black told her companions that any curse could be broken by being strong enough.

Kitasan Black encouraged Almond Eye and Mikki Rocket to face racing legends with confidence, inspiring reporter Otoya Shiyuezi to plan an article about them. After the interview, Kitasan Black took Almond Eye and Mikki Rocket sightseeing in Izu, where Mikki Rocket told her she had strong boyfriend energy.

• Kitasan Black urged Almond Eye and Mikki Rocket to break any curse through strength, and Otoya Shiyuezi enthusiastically planned an article about their declaration.
• Otoya Shiyuezi exchanged contact information with Kitasan Black and promised to let her review the article before publication.
• Kitasan Black led Almond Eye and Mikki Rocket into Izu for their adventure and used her carefully prepared itinerary to choose a local taiyaki shop.
• Almond Eye teased Kitasan Black about a previous outing with the Trainer, and Kitasan Black reassured her that she had brought her along this time.
• Mikki Rocket told Kitasan Black she felt especially safe with her and compared her to the male lead of a romance drama.

Kitasan Black took Almond Eye and Mikki Rocket on a cheerful outing in Izu, hoping to help Mikki Rocket feel at ease before discussing her troubles. She realized Mikki Rocket was weighed down by pressure to live up to T.M. Opera O and promised to help her pursue her own path.

• Kitasan Black, Almond Eye, and Mikki Rocket ate taiyaki and toured Izu while Kitasan Black kept Mikki Rocket’s worries in mind.
• Almond Eye spotted Kitasan Black plushies at an arcade, and Kitasan Black helped the group win several prizes.
• Kitasan Black gave Mikki Rocket a T.M. Opera O plushie and suggested that Mikki Rocket’s real problem was the pressure of following her Senior’s legacy.
• Mikki Rocket admitted Kitasan Black had guessed correctly, and Kitasan Black shared how she had chased after her own Senior.
• Kitasan Black promised to help Mikki Rocket and said they would run together as they chased and sought to surpass their seniors.

On the walk back to the inn, Little Anzu worried that her debut race might go badly after hearing about Mikki Rocket’s setbacks. Kitasan Black encouraged her, and Little Anzu reaffirmed that overcoming difficult races was part of her dream to surpass her seniors.

• Kitasan Black noticed that Little Anzu had grown quiet after spending the evening with Mikki Rocket.
• Little Anzu told Kitasan Black that she was becoming unsure how to surpass her seniors because racing seemed far more difficult than she had imagined.
• Little Anzu asked what would happen if she failed to place in her debut race.
• Kitasan Black promised that Little Anzu’s debut would go smoothly and that she would help her achieve her dream.
• Little Anzu caught Kitasan Black’s falling plushie and said that winning difficult races was what would prove she could surpass her seniors.

Kitasan Black and Little Anzu returned to the hotel and learned that Anjing Zhen had collapsed from exhaustion after Agnes Tachyon challenged him to Chase Training all day. Agnes Tachyon and Daiwa Scarlet explained that her recovery medicine had left him glowing all over, and Kitasan Black was left worried about his condition.

• Kitasan Black praised Little Anzu's ambition, and the two headed back to the hotel to ask about training.
• Kitasan Black and Little Anzu found Agnes Tachyon and Daiwa Scarlet outside Anjing Zhen's room after they had brought him back.
• Daiwa Scarlet and Agnes Tachyon assured Kitasan Black that Anjing Zhen had no health problems and said Agnes Tachyon had exhausted him in a day-long Chase Training contest.
• Daiwa Scarlet revealed that Agnes Tachyon had given Anjing Zhen her fatigue-recovery medicine, after which he began glowing all over like a jellyfish.