Chapter Summaries

Kitasan Black, Agnes Tachyon, Daiwa Scarlet, and Almond Eye discussed the Kasamatsu exhibition race, and Almond Eye chose to participate despite being afraid to face powerful seniors alone. Agnes Tachyon affirmed that Almond Eye had begun to understand the resolve required to race on her own.

• Kitasan Black explained that the Kasamatsu exhibition race could give Almond Eye valuable experience against retired senior racers.
• Agnes Tachyon asked Almond Eye whether she truly wanted to try, and Almond Eye said she wanted to participate.
• Almond Eye admitted that fear had made her consider backing out because she had never faced powerful opponents alone.
• Almond Eye declared that she would challenge the seniors and give the race everything she had.
• Agnes Tachyon supported Almond Eye’s decision and told her she had begun to understand the resolve racers must bear on the track.

Anjing Zhen and the others visited the Kasamatsu Horse Girl Carnival, where he recounted Inari One’s rise to two consecutive G1 victories. The story ended as he revealed that Oguri Cap had faced Inari One in the Daily Crown, the “Strongest G2.”

• Kikou Misuzu congratulated Almond Eye on her resolve with a lucky blessing, and Anjing Zhen sheepishly admitted his mother had blessed him before childhood contests.
• Daiwa Scarlet drove Anjing Zhen, Kikou Misuzu, and the horse girls to the Kasamatsu Horse Girl Carnival, where they explored the crowded plaza and its activities.
• Anjing Zhen and Agnes Tachyon explained that Inari One had raced at Kasamatsu before moving to the Central circuit and winning the Tenno Sho Spring and Takarazuka Kinen consecutively.
• Spring and Autumn Equinox asked whether Inari One continued winning, prompting Anjing Zhen to explain that she next entered the Daily Crown against Oguri Cap.

Anjing Zhen recounted Inari One’s rivalry with Oguri Cap and Super Little Bay, ending with Inari One’s Arima Kinen victory. Inspired by the legendary seniors, Spring and Autumn Equinox decided to race in a suitable recreational event, while Kitasan Black agreed to support both her and Almond Eye.

• Anjing Zhen told Spring and Autumn Equinox how Inari One lost narrowly to Oguri Cap, then finished eleventh in the Japan Cup won by El Condor Pasa.
• Anjing Zhen recounted Inari One’s Arima Kinen victory over Super Little Bay, her record-setting time, and her back-to-back Grand Prix wins.
• Agnes Tachyon asked whether Spring and Autumn Equinox wanted to race alongside Almond Eye and the legendary seniors, and Spring and Autumn Equinox eagerly agreed to try.
• Anjing Zhen warned that Spring and Autumn Equinox lacked the training for the Exhibition Race and recommended the recreational event in the “Pre-Full Maturity” division instead.
• Spring and Autumn Equinox chose the recreational race, and Kitasan Black promised Anjing Zhen she would help keep an eye on both races.

Anjing Zhen and the others reached the carnival’s temporary registration point, where they encountered Tamamo Cross and the renowned researcher Berno Light. While they waited to approach, Anjing introduced Spring and Autumn Equinox to the two seniors and their achievements.

• The group crossed the bustling carnival grounds and found Tamamo Cross arguing over registration while Berno Light sorted forms beside her.
• Daiwa Scarlet and Agnes Tachyon recognized Berno Light as a respected academic genius, and Anjing Zhen explained that she had reviewed his equipment-permit applications.
• Anjing Zhen told Spring and Autumn Equinox about Tamamo Cross’s racing accomplishments and urged her to learn about Horse Girl history.
• Agnes Tachyon and Daiwa Scarlet explained that Berno Light was less famous as a racer but had made major contributions to racing technology and theory.

Anjing Zhen brought Almond Eye and Spring and Autumn Equinox to register for the exhibition event, while Kitasan Black clarified that she would not be competing herself. Tamamo Cross arranged for Berno Light to register the juniors and decided to warn the other racers to take the event seriously.

• Agnes Tachyon and Daiwa Scarlet praised Berno Light’s technical work and explained her connection to Oguri Cap to Spring and Autumn Equinox.
• Kikou Misuzu teased Anjing Zhen for patiently explaining the background to Spring and Autumn Equinox, and the group laughed at the comparison to a father teaching his daughter.
• Anjing Zhen asked Kitasan Black to take Almond Eye and Spring and Autumn Equinox to the registration table.
• Tamamo Cross complained to the staff about low participation until Kitasan Black arrived and asked Berno Light to register the two juniors.
• Kitasan Black explained that Almond Eye would enter the main event’s exhibition segment and Spring and Autumn Equinox would enter the un-Full Maturity group’s fun race.
• Tamamo Cross left Berno Light to handle registration and planned to warn Oguri, Inari One, and Super Little Bay to prepare for the juniors.

Kitasan Black completed the race registrations with Berno Light, who offered to show the group around Kasamatsu before the races. Almond Eye found new resolve to make people remember her name as she followed the others to the training area.

• Tamamo Cross dashed off, and Berno Light apologized for her impulsiveness before confirming Kitasan Black's and Spring and Autumn Equinox's registrations.
• Kitasan Black demonstrated what Anjing Zhen had taught her about race rules, and Berno Light praised her preparation.
• Berno Light invited the group to tour Kasamatsu with Oguri Cap after the event and finished processing the forms.
• Kitasan Black led the group toward the temporary training area, then noticed Almond Eye had fallen behind.
• Almond Eye reminded herself that she wanted everyone to remember the name Almond Eye and hurried to catch up.

Kitasan Black led Almond Eye and Spring and Autumn Equinox through a warm-up and a short starting-speed practice at Kasamatsu. Watching them launch forward, Berno Light, Oguri Cap, and Super Little Bay recognized that Kitasan Black’s two juniors were fast as well.

• Berno Light brought Kitasan Black, Almond Eye, and Spring and Autumn Equinox to a temporary training area near the racetrack.
• Kitasan Black led the two juniors through a lap, warm-up exercises, and preparations for a short running simulation.
• Berno Light met Oguri Cap and Super Little Bay, who told her that Tamamo Cross and Inari were speaking with the other Exhibition Race contestants.
• Oguri Cap spotted Kitasan Black and the juniors beginning their practice and suggested they wait before approaching them.
• Kitasan Black, Almond Eye, and Spring and Autumn Equinox launched down the short straight, impressing Berno Light, Oguri Cap, and Super Little Bay with their speed.

Oguri Cap, Super Little Bay, and Berno Light watched Kitasan Black, Almond Eye, and Spring and Autumn Equinox train, assessing the younger runners’ strengths and weaknesses. Oguri Cap and Super Little Bay committed to treating the upcoming race seriously, while Berno Light agreed to handle their preparations; Oguri regretted that Kitahara and Rokutsu would not join them.

• Berno Light watched Kitasan Black lead Almond Eye and Spring and Autumn Equinox in a sprint on the dirt track.
• Super Little Bay and Berno Light praised Almond Eye’s physical qualities and Spring and Autumn Equinox’s remarkable talent.
• Kitasan Black widened her lead, while Oguri Cap and Super Little Bay noticed Almond Eye struggling to sustain her rhythm and lower-body output.
• Berno Light teased Oguri Cap and Super Little Bay for analyzing a rookie as if she were a G1 opponent, but they insisted every race deserved full effort and respect.
• Berno Light offered to support their preparations, and Oguri Cap expressed excitement about preparing for a race together again.
• Oguri Cap lamented that Kitahara was in Tokyo and Rokutsu did not want to get involved with races anymore.

Kitasan Black tried to coach Almond Eye and Spring and Autumn Equinox, but Anjing Zhen explained how their racing tactics should suit their different strengths. The afternoon’s roster revealed that Almond Eye would face three legendary seniors in the Exhibition Race.

• Oguri Cap, Berno Light, and Super Little Bay left the training grounds to meet Tamamo and Inari and discuss the arrangements.
• Kitasan Black praised Almond Eye’s form but suggested frontrunning tactics for both her and Spring and Autumn Equinox.
• Anjing Zhen explained that Almond Eye could benefit from conserving her strength for a late burst, while Spring and Autumn Equinox had unusually strong explosive power for her stage.
• Anjing Zhen received Berno Light’s email with the final race roster and schedule, and the group saw that Spring and Autumn Equinox’s race would feature visiting children from Nagoya.
• Anjing Zhen showed Almond Eye the Exhibition Race roster, revealing that she would compete against Oguri Cap, Super Little Bay, and Inari One.

Almond Eye embraced the challenge of racing against Oguri Cap, Super Little Bay, and Inari One, while Kitasan Black took charge of preparing the team. At the preparation room, Kikou Misuzu revealed that she had once been a Horse Girl trained by Anjing Zhen’s father, leaving Anjing Zhen thinking about the parallels between their past and his partnership with Kitasan Black.

• Anjing Zhen explained that the legendary racers were likely participating to make the Exhibition Race more spectacular, though their presence would still create pressure.
• Almond Eye declared that facing stronger opponents would help her test her limits, and her fighting spirit surprised the group.
• Kikou Misuzu reminded Agnes Tachyon that Kitasan Black, not Anjing Zhen, was the team's temporary trainer, and Kitasan Black agreed to help prepare Almond Eye and Little Bun.
• Anjing Zhen forwarded Berno Light’s email to Kitasan Black, who confirmed their participation and led the group to their Preparation Room.
• Kikou Misuzu recalled preparing race tactics in the room with Anjing Zhen’s father, revealing that she had been an active Horse Girl and he had been her trainer.
• Anjing Zhen connected his parents’ history as Trainer and Horse Girl to his own partnership with Kitasan Black.

Kitasan Black led her first independent race-planning meeting, analyzing Kasamatsu Racecourse and the main opponents before recommending a late-run strategy for Almond Eye. Her teammates praised her work, and she looked to Anjing Zhen for approval.

• Anjing Zhen redirected attention to the whiteboard, and Kitasan Black helped set up the team meeting.
• Kitasan Black overcame her nerves and described the dirt track, its softer surface, and Kasamatsu Racecourse’s small, flat layout.
• Kitasan Black assessed Oguri Cap, Inari One, and Super Little Bay as major threats and recommended that Almond Eye use a late-run style to conserve stamina.
• Kitasan Black stressed that experiencing the pressure of racing top-level seniors mattered alongside winning.
• Agnes Tachyon, Daiwa Scarlet, and Kikou Misuzu praised and teased Kitasan Black, who modestly insisted she was still learning and sought Anjing Zhen’s approval.

Anjing Zhen explained how Almond Eye could respond to Oguri Cap, Super Little Bay, and Inari One, but Almond Eye struggled to imagine what their tactics would feel like in a race. Kitasan Black connected each tactic to their shared training, giving Almond Eye concrete sensations to draw on.

• Anjing Zhen praised Kitasan Black's analysis and described Oguri Cap's opening-phase warm-up and later tactics.
• Anjing Zhen explained Super Little Bay's steadily increasing pace and Inari One's explosive burst, asking Almond Eye to apply her training experience.
• Almond Eye admitted she understood the tactical notes but could not picture the sensations involved.
• Kitasan Black compared Oguri Cap's changes to their side-by-side acceleration practice and advised Almond Eye to hold her form and rhythm.
• Kitasan Black compared Super Little Bay's pressure to their endurance runs and Inari One's burst to their final-hundred-meter sprint drills.

Kitasan Black helped Almond Eye understand racing tactics by translating them into sensations from their shared training, and Anjing Zhen realized her guidance could fill a gap in his coaching. He prompted Kitasan Black to explain how Almond Eye should handle Kasamatsu’s local racers, and she began describing how to react to sudden moves, sharp turns, and shifting wind pressure.

• Almond Eye matched Kitasan Black’s examples to her own training and correctly understood how to unleash different kinds of acceleration during a race.
• Anjing Zhen recognized that Kitasan Black’s firsthand explanations could communicate racing sensations to Almond Eye more effectively than his own coaching.
• Anjing Zhen showed Kitasan Black and Almond Eye information about notable local opponents, including Fujimasa March and Flying to the Top.
• Anjing Zhen asked Kitasan Black to explain how Almond Eye should adapt to Kasamatsu’s tight turns and local opponents’ tactics.
• Kitasan Black advised Almond Eye to commit to the inner lane, monitor nearby rivals, and react to changes in wind pressure when opponents accelerated.

Anjing Zhen and Kitasan Black discovered that her explanations helped Almond Eye understand race tactics, giving Kitasan a meaningful first taste of being an assistant. The team finished a brief preparation meeting and arrived at the lively Activity Race, where Almond Eye headed to warm up while the others prepared to watch from the stands.

• Kitasan Black and Anjing Zhen worked together to explain tactics to Almond Eye, impressing Kikou Misuzu, Agnes Tachyon, and Daiwa Scarlet.
• Anjing Zhen realized Kitasan Black could serve as a bridge between his tactical guidance and the Horse Girls, while Kitasan felt she had begun to understand her assistant role.
• The team discussed the track and opponents for about half an hour before Berno Light called to summon them for the Activity Race introduction.
• At the crowded training grounds, Tamamo Cross directed Almond Eye to warm up with the group and invited Anjing Zhen, Kitasan Black, and the others to the spectator seats.
• Almond Eye turned back to reassure Kitasan Black that she would do her best in the warm-up and race.

Almond Eye entered the training grounds and began warming up as Oguri Cap and the other veteran racers assessed her preparation and ability. Oguri Cap recognized Almond Eye as a serious threat and warned her friends not to let the rookie leave them far behind.

• Kitasan Black encouraged Almond Eye, who entered the training grounds and chose an open spot to warm up.
• Super Little Bay and Inari One watched Almond Eye and agreed that her fundamentals and training looked solid.
• Inari One said she planned to use the rookies as examples for her students at Ohi Treisen Academy, while Super Little Bay and Oguri Cap teased her about growing up.
• Fujimasa March praised Almond Eye's practiced warm-up and provoked some of the other senior racers into arguing about their fitness.
• Oguri Cap declared that Almond Eye would be incredible, acknowledged her respectful bow, and warned her friends to be careful not to fall far behind her.

As the carnival races began at Kasamatsu Racecourse, Tamamo Cross entertained the crowd while Fujimasa March and her friends discussed the runners. March revealed that she was more concerned about the inexperienced Almond Eye than about racing Oguri Cap again.

• Tamamo Cross gave playful commentary as the racers headed for the Starting Gate, and Berno Light worried that she was being too informal.
• Anjing Zhen watched with Kikou Misuzu and considered the carnival a chance for Kitasan Black, Almond Eye, and Spring and Autumn Equinox to gain experience.
• Noren Ace, Rudy Le More, and Mini Lady teased Fujimasa March about her frequent runs with Oguri Cap.
• Fujimasa March admitted she was glad to race Oguri Cap again but said Almond Eye was the runner she was more concerned about.
• Noren Ace and the others doubted Almond Eye could be strong before her debut.

At the Kasamatsu Star Invitational, the race opened at an unusually frantic pace, with several Horse Girls battling for the lead while Oguri Cap, Super Little Bay, and Inari One stayed near the back. Anjing Zhen and Agnes Tachyon recognized that the opening speed was abnormally high, and the chapter left Anjing asking whether Little Kita and Little Bun’s situation had been settled.

• Fujimasa March told Noren Ace that she could not explain her concern about Oguri Cap, but asked when Oguri Cap had ever joked about something like this.
• Tamamo Cross called to the lingering racers, and Fujimasa March hurried her friends into the Starting Gate.
• At the start, Starlight Leaping and Spring Breeze Gallop surged ahead, joined by Winter Vista Dawn, Flying to the Top, and other racers in a fierce fight for position.
• Berno Light reported that Oguri Cap, Super Little Bay, and Inari One had all taken positions near the back of the field.
• Anjing Zhen checked his stopwatch and said the opening 200 meters had taken just over thirteen seconds; Agnes Tachyon explained that this pace was too fast for an exhibition race.
• Anjing Zhen asked Agnes Tachyon whether Little Kita and Little Bun’s side had both been settled.

Spring and Autumn Equinox warmed up for her upcoming race while Kitasan Black followed Almond Eye’s progress in another race. Almond Eye stayed with the late-runners and calmed herself by sticking to her own pace, leaving her poised to make her move.

• Agnes Tachyon watched the race and observed that Almond Eye was keeping a cool head instead of trying to beat the leading runners immediately.
• Spring and Autumn Equinox finished warming up, worried that Almond Eye might win, then returned to training after Daiwa Scarlet tossed her an energy drink.
• Tamamo Cross reported that the early leaders had fallen back and Almond Eye was running among the late-runners behind Oguri Cap and Inari One.
• Kitasan Black tracked the race through the commentary and estimated that the pack had covered 800 meters in about a minute, reassuring herself that Almond Eye’s speed was sufficient.
• Almond Eye remembered her trainer and Senior Little Kita’s advice, resisted following the fast starters, and focused on maintaining her own rhythm.

Almond Eye trusted her body and chose the outside lane to avoid the slowing runners, launching a decisive acceleration on the approach to the Third Turn. Her move surprised the crowd and impressed the spectators, while Fujimasa March recognized her exceptional ability.

• Almond Eye held back with the seniors as the early leaders tired and the field stretched out.
• As the runners entered the Third Turn, Almond Eye recalled Kitasan Black's advice and decided the outside lane suited her strength and rhythm.
• Almond Eye surged past the field on the outside, drawing cheers from Tamamo Cross, Berno Light, Anjing Zhen, Agnes Tachyon, and Kikou Misuzu.
• Fujimasa March watched Almond Eye's crisp acceleration and realized the junior's talent matched or surpassed that of gifted runners she had known.

Almond Eye tried to use positioning to restrict Oguri Cap and Inari One on the final stretch, but Super Little Bay and the two legends unleashed their true speed. She chased them stubbornly, yet the gap in their power and control remained overwhelming.

• Almond Eye moved into the lead after the final turn and planned to pin Oguri Cap to the Inner Lane while limiting Inari One’s options.
• Fujimasa March and Super Little Bay accelerated from behind, and Super Little Bay passed Almond Eye as she recognized the junior’s strategy.
• Super Little Bay surged toward the final-stretch battle, prompting Oguri Cap and Inari One to unleash their powerful Final Bursts.
• Tamamo Cross announced the legends’ clash as the Kasamatsu Racecourse erupted with cheers.
• Almond Eye pushed herself toward the leaders, but she could not close the chasm between her and the three seniors.