Chapter Summaries

Satono Diamond tested Kitasan Black’s strength but could not identify the decisive point for her final burst, while Trainer Chris began her training. At Kyoto Tracen, Anjing Zhen’s team developed a Tenno Sho Spring strategy for Kitasan based on controlling distance and isolating opponents’ finishing kicks with a “Grit Boundary.”

• Satono Diamond and Trainer Chris discussed Diamond’s failed attempt to find the point where she could unleash her final burst against Kitasan Black, then began training.
• Kitasan Black told the meeting that her grandfather and many Seniors would attend the Tenno Sho Spring after President Symboli Rudolph invited him.
• Anjing Zhen and Agnes Tachyon presented simulations showing opponents could break through Kitasan’s defense, with her chance of overtaking them afterward no higher than 7%.
• Anjing Zhen’s team shifted their strategy from wearing opponents down to controlling their distance from Kitasan Black.
• Daiwa Scarlet used Mejiro McQueen and Rice Shower’s race to explain how grit could secure a position for a decisive strike.
• Anjing Zhen outlined a plan for Kitasan to maintain an aggressive pace and create a “Grit Boundary” that would contain opponents’ final bursts within a manageable range.

Kitasan Black refined her endurance-based Guts Isolation strategy for the Tenno Sho Spring and invited friends and rivals to a pre-race gathering. The gathering began at a quiet Kyoto courtyard, where she grilled food as Spring and Autumn Equinox eyed the meat.

• Kitasan Black confirmed to Anjing Zhen Shen that she would use stamina to control the race and guts to isolate rivals at the final turn and finish.
• Kitasan Black and Almond Eye continued their training as the Tenno Sho Spring approached, while pressure from the other competitors mounted.
• Kitasan Black suggested a pre-race banquet, and Anjing Zhen Shen agreed to her plan to use her grandfather's Kyoto courtyard.
• Kitasan Black hosted the gathering with Almond Eye and Spring and Autumn Equinox, grilling food while Spring and Autumn Equinox reached toward a chicken wing skewer.

Kitasan Black taught Spring and Autumn Equinox how to grill, and the courtyard barbecue filled with guests. As everyone sat down to eat, Satono Crown teased Spring and Autumn Equinox about their earlier interview.

• Kitasan Black guided Spring and Autumn Equinox as she grilled her first chicken skewer.
• Kyoushou, Zenno Rob Roy, Noble Elegance, Teio Sho, Wanlai Zhengming, the Satono sisters, Futanari Shingang, Mikki Rocket, and Duramente arrived for the barbecue.
• Spring and Autumn Equinox practiced grilling corn while the guests prepared the table and food.
• Satono Crown gave Spring and Autumn Equinox candy and reminded the others that she had interviewed her before the Osaka Hai.
• Everyone gathered around the table as the grilled food was ready.

Wanlai Zhengming hosted a celebratory gathering after Kyoushou’s Dubai Turf victory, where the group discussed Kitasan Black’s Osaka Hai win and the coming Tenno Sho Spring. Satono Diamond challenged Kitasan Black for the Kyoto race, and Kitasan Black accepted her challenge.

• Wanlai Zhengming performed a prerecorded violin piece and served non-alcoholic sparkling apple juice at the gathering.
• Kitasan Black led toasts celebrating the group, Kyoushou’s Dubai Turf victory, and the upcoming races.
• Kyoushou and Futanari Shingang praised Kitasan Black’s Osaka Hai victory, and Kitasan Black said she would race overseas after the Tenno Sho Spring.
• Duramente and Mikki Rocket recounted how Symboli Rudolf and T.M. Opera O had brought them to Kyoto to observe the major race.
• Futanari Shingang said the Tenno Sho Spring would draw attention from the racing industry and overseas observers.
• Satono Diamond told Kitasan Black she would not yield in the 3,200-meter race, and Kitasan Black welcomed the challenge.

At Kitasan Black’s gathering, Zenno Rob Roy invited her for a moonlit run that became a controlled simulation of race pressure. Afterward, Zenno Rob Roy reflected on the feeling of giving everything yet still seeing an unreachable figure ahead.

• Teio Sho asked Noble Elegance whether she would respond to the challenge, but Zenno Rob Roy redirected the dinner conversation toward enjoying the food and garden.
• Zenno Rob Roy thanked Kitasan Black for hosting and asked her to show her a place nearby where she could run.
• Zenno Rob Roy increased her pace to simulate a pursuer pressing in, while Kitasan Black maintained a steady rhythm and adapted to the pressure.
• After they stopped, Zenno Rob Roy told Kitasan Black that it felt similar to giving everything and still seeing someone’s back remain out of reach.

Zenno Rob Roy asked Kitasan Black to face Noble Elegance with her full strength at the Tenno Sho Spring, hoping to help her sister stop holding back. Kitasan agreed, and after the gathering quieted down, she and Almond Eye cleaned up the courtyard.

• Zenno Rob Roy explained that Noble Elegance still hesitated to race as her complete self and asked Kitasan Black to show her the full force of her ability at the Tenno Sho Spring.
• Kitasan Black accepted Zenno Rob Roy’s request and promised to face Noble Elegance with everything she had.
• Kitasan Black rejoined the gathering and played UNO while Zenno Rob Roy returned to Kyoushou and Noble Elegance.
• Satono Diamond watched Kitasan Black and resolved that she would only seek to defeat Kitasan at her strongest.
• Kitasan Black arranged guest rooms for the visitors, then began cleaning the courtyard with Almond Eye after Spring and Autumn Equinox went to bed.

Kitasan Black asked Almond Eye how she felt before facing strong opponents and realized she wanted to replace the burden of responsibility with excitement. After training the next day, Anjing Zhen outlined plans for intense side-by-side sessions to test her race strategy against rivals.

• Kitasan Black asked Almond Eye whether strong opponents ever made her doubt herself, and Almond Eye said they only made her excited.
• Kitasan Black considered how pressure and responsibility had overshadowed her excitement and resolved to face her rivals with anticipation.
• The next day, Almond Eye and Spring and Autumn Equinox praised Kitasan Black after training, while Anjing Zhen said her performance data exceeded projections.
• Anjing Zhen proposed high-intensity side-by-side sessions to refine Kitasan Black's Guts Isolation strategy, naming Satono Diamond, Noble Elegance, Teio Sho, and other possible partners.

Kitasan Black proposed opening joint training sessions to any Horse Girl willing to run with her, turning herself into a public benchmark for aspiring runners. Anjing Zhen Shen approved the plan, and the group began organizing invitations ahead of the Tenno Sho Spring.

• Kitasan Black proposed accepting joint-training requests from any Horse Girl at Kyoto Tracen or willing to come there.
• Agnes Tachyon and Daiwa Scarlet recognized that Kitasan Black wanted to inspire other runners by openly showing them the summit.
• Anjing Zhen Shen approved the idea and adjusted the remaining training schedule to include open joint sessions.
• Anjing Zhen Shen tasked Agnes Tachyon and Daiwa Scarlet with making the sessions safe, efficient, and effective.
• Almond Eye volunteered to create an invitation flyer and handle announcements, while Spring and Autumn Equinox offered to distribute flyers.

Anjing Zhen assigned Almond Eye and Spring and Autumn Equinox to publicize Kitasan Black’s open joint running training, and flyers drew interest from Horse Girls across the academy. Several potential spectators and challengers decided to attend, while Satono Crown invited Satomi Megami to consider trying the session herself.

• Anjing Zhen tasked Almond Eye and Spring and Autumn Equinox with formally announcing Kitasan Black’s open training session.
• Spring and Autumn Equinox distributed flyers around the academy, prompting Golden Lyric, Tenka Yuiitsu, and Seven Colors Line to take notice; Seven Colors Line headed toward the training grounds.
• Almond Eye invited Wang Ziding to watch, and Wang Ziding agreed while Almond Eye said she would participate and support Kitasan Black.
• Almond Eye gave Daring Tact a flyer, and Daring Tact accepted the challenge and said she would attend on time.
• Almond Eye found Satono Diamond, Satono Crown, and Satomi Megami by the track; Satono Crown praised Kitasan Black’s bold invitation and asked Megami if she wanted to try it.

Almond Eye invited Horse Girls to Kitasan Black’s open training, and Tetsu Bird Soar eagerly accepted after Deep Impact encouraged her to attend. Deep Impact then returned to the Kyoto Academy Student Council Office, where Symboli Rudolph and the others discussed the council’s work.

• Satono Diamond and Satono Crown encouraged Satomi Megami to attend Kitasan Black’s open training, and she decided to go.
• Almond Eye invited Deep Impact and her junior to the open training; Deep Impact declined but told the junior she could attend.
• The junior introduced herself as Tetsu Bird Soar and excitedly accepted the invitation to see Kitasan Black train.
• Deep Impact watched Tetsu Bird Soar leave after showing her around the Kyoto campus, then entered the Student Council Office.
• Tokai Teio massaged Symboli Rudolph’s shoulders while Mejiro McQueen and Narita Brian teased her for avoiding council work.
• Symboli Rudolph said that the council’s inter-school coordination and Association liaison had improved under President Rudolph’s supervision.

Symboli Rudolf interpreted Kitasan Black and Anjing Zhen’s public training invitation as a deliberate effort to build pressure and excitement for Tenno Sho Spring, drawing competitors and promising newcomers to Kyoto. She asked Deep Impact to consider taking over the Student Council after Kitasan Black pursued her overseas dream, and Deep Impact agreed only if Kitasan Black truly succeeded.

• Mr. C.B. shared media criticism of Kitasan Black, and Deep Impact clarified that the reported public challenge was an ordinary joint training invitation.
• Symboli Rudolf argued that Kitasan Black and Anjing Zhen were deliberately directing attention and pressure toward Tenno Sho Spring to spur their opponents and the next generation.
• Symboli Rudolf noted that Wang Ziding, Satomi Megami, Elegant Gentleman, and Tetsu Bird Soar had come to observe the training invitation, and Deep Impact praised Tetsu Bird Soar’s potential.
• Tokai Teio asked Symboli Rudolf to take back the Student Council presidency, and Symboli Rudolf acknowledged that the role had constrained Tokai Teio’s nature.
• Symboli Rudolf asked Deep Impact to consider leading the Student Council after Kitasan Black’s overseas expedition, and Deep Impact said she would do so if Kitasan Black could truly reach that point.