Chapter Summaries

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.

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.