Chapter Summaries

Satono Crown explained Koushou Hayate’s struggles after injury and defeat, and Kitasan Black insisted on visiting her despite the risk that her Satsuki Sho victory would make comfort feel insensitive. At the Student Council Office, Tokai Teio asked Deep Impact whether she had decided about the practice race.

• Satono Crown told Kitasan Black that Koushou Hayate had been distracted since her injury forced her to withdraw from the Wakakoma Stakes and she placed fifth in the Mainichi Hai.
• Kitasan Black recalled Tokai Teio’s advice about the pressure and uncertainty of racing, then offered to help Koushou Hayate.
• Satono Crown warned that Kitasan Black’s Satsuki Sho victory might make her visit feel like attending a funeral in an evening gown, but Kitasan Black decided to see Koushou Hayate anyway.
• Deep Impact brought Tokai Teio the preliminary review of overseas agreements and reminded her to finish reviewing them before 19:30.
• Tokai Teio asked Deep Impact how she was considering the practice race she had mentioned earlier.

Tokai Teio persuaded Deep Impact to help Kitasan Black after sharing how the younger Horse Girl had supported her through retirement. Deep Impact agreed to arrange a training race with Anjing Zhen and Gold Artisan, though Gold Artisan asked to wait a week while she played mahjong with Gold Ship and others.

• Tokai Teio showed Deep Impact the handmade Omamori Kitasan Black had given her and explained that Kitasan had never given up on her.
• Deep Impact agreed to help with the training race, explaining that she wanted to understand Kitasan Black's talent and how Trainer Yasui trained her.
• Tokai Teio and Deep Impact arranged a video conference with Anjing Zhen and Gold Artisan to confirm the training race.
• Anjing Zhen accepted the arrangement and drafted a plan based on Kitasan Black's special training.
• Gold Artisan asked for one week before joining the training race, while Gold Ship and the others played mahjong in the background.

Anjing Zhen invited Kitasan Black to watch Gold Ship race in the Tenno Sho Spring, hoping to use the event to support her training. Kitasan Black arranged a group trip to Kyoto, where the friends arrived and excitedly posed for photos before the race.

• Anjing Zhen explained why Gold Ship's Tenno Sho Spring was worth watching and invited Kitasan Black to attend with him.
• Kitasan Black agreed and revealed that Satono Crown, Satono Diamond, Almond Eye, and Koushou Hayate were joining the trip to Kyoto.
• Kitasan Black said she had already booked the group's tickets and hotel, and Anjing Zhen accepted her arrangements.
• Anjing Zhen and the group arrived in Kyoto and saw Gold Ship posters and displays throughout the station.
• Kitasan Black enthusiastically posed for pictures with the poster, while Satono Crown and Duramente teased her and took photos.

Anjing Zhen and Gold Artisan traveled to Kyoto for the Tenno Sho Spring, where they watched Gold Ship prepare for the race. Gold Artisan still cared about Gold Ship but avoided speaking to her, leaving Dream Journey and Nakayama Celebration to send her off as the race approached.

• Anjing Zhen suspected Gold Artisan had come to Kyoto because she was upset with Gold Ship, but noticed her secretly looking at Gold Ship's promotional poster.
• Anjing Zhen and the Horse Girls toured Kyoto and offered blessings for their seniors before the Tenno Sho Spring.
• The group gathered at the Rest Hall to cheer Gold Ship, who confidently promised an unforgettable race.
• Gold Artisan and Nakayama Celebration argued over who should have kept Gold Ship training, while Dream Journey told them to help Grandpa and Big Sis.
• Nakayama Celebration reassured Gold Artisan that Gold Ship could be relied on when it mattered, and Gold Artisan hoped Gold Ship would take the race seriously.

Anjing Zhen watched the Horse Girls gather to cheer Gold Ship before the Tenno Sho Spring, while the seniors taught their juniors how to judge the race’s lanes and drew inspiration from their achievements. The chapter ended with Anzu and Kitasan Black eager to surpass the seniors.

• Anjing Zhen noticed subtle emotions among the Gold Ship Family but chose not to mention them as the Horse Girls focused on race day.
• The Horse Girls cheered Gold Ship in the Paddock, and Daiwa Scarlet and Silent Suzuka discussed why Great Kindness was favored over her.
• Vodka asked whether starting from gate one was disadvantageous, and Special Week explained how the Tenno Sho Spring’s long straight and track conditions affected lane strategy.
• Anzu praised the seniors and vowed to become an even more outstanding Horse Girl, while Kitasan Black resolved to aim just as high.

Gold Ship struggled to enter the starting gate before her old Trainer calmed her, and she prepared to race the Tenno Sho Spring. As the gates opened, she focused on the track and thought of her friends, sweets, and the race ahead.

• Vodka told Anjing Zhen that Almond Eye showed more sharpness on the track than Kitasan Black, and Anjing Zhen recognized the difference.
• Gold Ship refused to enter the starting gate, kicked the railing, and alarmed Gold Artisan, Nakayama Celebration, and Dream Journey.
• Gold Ship calmed when her old Trainer approached, put on a hood, and walked to the gate, while Dream Journey worried about her starting from Gate 1 and missing the start again.
• Inside the gate, Gold Ship fought distraction and restlessness by recalling her old Trainer, her friends, and the advice she had received to avoid jumping the gun.
• The starting lock clicked, and Gold Ship shifted forward as the Tenno Sho Spring began.

Gold Ship raced at the back of the field while secretly shifting toward the outside, preserving the others’ mistaken belief that she was simply running from behind. As the pack entered the stretch, the crowd and the juniors realized she had changed lanes, while the seniors had apparently expected it.

• Galloping Thunderclap took the early lead, Adroit Labyrinth passed Phantom Gale, and Gold Ship and Great Kindness settled at the back.
• Kitasan Black and Anzu excitedly anticipated Gold Ship’s late-closing run, while Anzu noticed the seniors seemed thoughtful about her position.
• Gold Ship studied the runners ahead, then moved sideways along the boundary between the third and fourth lanes without being noticed.
• The commentator reported Gold Ship still at the back as the pack entered the straight, then suddenly announced that she had moved to the Outside Lane.
• Kitasan Black, Almond Eye, and the other juniors reacted with surprise, while Anjing Zhen, Special Week, Dream Journey, and Nakayama Celebration appeared unsurprised; Gold Artisan criticized Gold Ship.

Gold Ship surged from the back of the field to win the Tenno Sho Spring after three attempts. After crossing the finish line, she celebrated with the elderly man and the black-haired Horse Girl waiting for her.

• Gold Ship charged up the outside and reached fourth as the runners entered the final straight.
• Gold Ship overtook Adroit Labyrinth and held off Fame Game to win the Tenno Sho Spring.
• Gold Ship realized she had crossed the finish line and saw her name on the display board.
• Gold Ship celebrated, then rushed toward the elderly man and the black-haired Horse Girl waiting beyond the finish line.
• The black-haired Horse Girl carried the elderly man out of Gold Ship's path as Gold Ship laughed and declared that she had won.

After the Tenno Sho Spring performance, Kitasan Black wondered whether she could surpass Tokai Teio, and Little Anzu encouraged her by sharing her own ambitions. Kitasan then chased after Koushou Hayate, who was leaving to see her elder sister and the others.

• Kitasan Black declared that she hoped to sing at the Tenno Sho Spring next year and win its trophy, surpassing Tokai Teio a little.
• Daiwa Scarlet told Kitasan that Teio hoped she would surpass her and the seniors who came before her.
• Little Anzu held Kitasan’s hand and shared that her family hoped she would become a Horse Girl who surpassed the seniors.
• Anjing Zhen and Gold Artisan left the stands, and Koushou Hayate hurried toward the exit.
• Kitasan followed Koushou, who said she was going back to see her elder sister and the others.

Koushou Hayate awkwardly thanked Kitasan Black before leaving, prompting Anjing Zhen to wonder if she was socially anxious. The next morning, Kitasan Black eagerly began training, but Anjing Zhen kept her on Wall Running because she had not yet mastered its requirements.

• Koushou Hayate declined Kitasan Black’s invitation to watch the show and attend Gold Ship’s celebration, then ran off after thanking her.
• Anjing Zhen told Kitasan Black that the training race with Gold Artisan had been moved to next weekend and reminded her to train properly.
• Kitasan Black arrived early at the training grounds, eager to practice after waking up refreshed.
• Anjing Zhen brought Kitasan Black back to Wall Running, explaining that her long distance alone did not mean she had mastered the technique.

Anjing Zhen prepared Kitasan Black for dangerous wall-running training designed to mimic the Japanese Derby’s uneven slopes. After explaining the course’s elevation changes, he began testing her ability to reach and hold a height of 1.9 meters, leaving her to try again after her first attempt ended in a fall.

• Anjing Zhen equipped Kitasan Black with protective gear and set up an inflated crash mat beside the wall.
• Anjing Zhen explained how the Japanese Derby’s repeated climbs and descents challenged a runner’s explosive power, endurance, and rhythm.
• Kitasan Black understood how wall-running practice could prepare her for the racecourse’s slopes and agreed to begin training.
• Anjing Zhen set a 1.9-meter target and instructed Kitasan Black to reach it quickly and maintain her height.
• Kitasan Black missed the target, lost control, and fell onto the crash mat, after which Anjing Zhen advised her to adjust her foot angle and engage her ankle sooner.

Anjing Zhen checked Kitasan Black for injuries after her fall, and she reflected that he had become more relaxed and approachable. After training, Special Week offered another experienced runner to help Kitasan Black prepare for the Japanese Derby, and Anjing Zhen revealed that the Horse Girl was Grass Wonder.

• Anjing Zhen examined Kitasan Black's wrist and hand and found no sign of injury after her fall.
• Kitasan Black told Anjing Zhen she liked how he had begun joking around, then eagerly resumed training.
• During the following days, Anjing Zhen reflected that shared interests had made him feel closer to Kitasan Black and better able to understand her.
• Special Week messaged Anjing Zhen to offer the help of a friend who had come to Tokyo and was preparing for the Summer Dream Trophy.
• Anjing Zhen told Kitasan Black that Special Week's friend was Grass Wonder.

Anjing Zhen met Grass Wonder at Central Treisen Academy's cafeteria and noticed calluses on her hand that suggested extensive kendo practice. As he discussed plans for her practice race with Kitasan Black, he learned that Grass Wonder's apparent ability to chase down opponents mainly surfaced when she raced against Special Week.

• Anjing Zhen and Kitasan Black met Special Week and her friend Grass Wonder at the cafeteria.
• Anjing Zhen noticed unusual calluses on Grass Wonder's hand and inferred that she had practiced practical kendo for a long time.
• Anjing Zhen considered Grass Wonder's racing record and strong Final Burst while thinking about how she could help Kitasan Black prepare.
• Anjing Zhen outlined the Saturday practice race on the woodchip track and asked Grass Wonder to help Kitasan Black train at chasing opponents.
• Special Week and Grass Wonder explained that Grass Wonder only seemed faster when racing against Special Week.

Anjing Zhen prepared a training race for Kitasan Black and the other Horse Girls, confirming Grass Wonder’s condition before choosing her role. The setup was nearly complete when Gold Ship arrived pulling a Starting Gate with help from Daiwa Scarlet and Silent Suzuka.

• Anjing Zhen suspected Grass Wonder’s past victories over Special Week had involved an unusual boost, but Grass Wonder agreed to let him assess her condition before deciding on a chasing strategy.
• Kitasan Black warmed up on the woodchip track while Special Week, Grass Wonder, and Vodka reacclimated to its surface, and Deep Impact and Gold Artisan trained nearby.
• Anjing Zhen set up sensors, a drone, and a loudspeaker for the training race while the stands remained nearly empty.
• Gold Ship dragged a Starting Gate to the field with a rope around her waist, while Daiwa Scarlet and Silent Suzuka pushed it from behind.
• Special Week and Vodka questioned why Silent Suzuka and Daiwa Scarlet were helping Gold Ship, and Gold Ship explained that none of them had a driver’s license.

Anjing Zhen started a 2,400-meter practice race, and Kitasan Black took the lead while Deep Impact and Gold Artisan missed the gate. Kitasan Black accelerated to shake off the pressure from her seniors, but Deep Impact suddenly appeared beside her on the opening stretch.

• The Horse Girls moved the Starting Gate into position, warmed up, and entered it as Anjing Zhen prepared the practice race.
• Kitasan Black burst from the gate and took the lead, while Special Week, Grass Wonder, and Vodka followed close behind.
• Deep Impact and Gold Artisan missed the start, prompting Gold Ship and the others to comment on their gate trouble.
• Kitasan Black adjusted her pace and accelerated to discourage the seniors behind her from pressuring her for the lead.
• Deep Impact appeared at Kitasan Black's outer side on the opening stretch, startling her.

Deep Impact surged past Kitasan Black before the first turn, disrupting her planned rhythm and forcing her to accelerate to reclaim the lead. As the observers recognized the challenge, Anjing Zhen saw the unexpected tactic as useful preparation for the Japanese Derby.

• Deep Impact made a powerful early acceleration and overtook Kitasan Black just before the first turn.
• Kitasan Black panicked at Deep Impact’s pace, then tightened her breathing and increased her stride frequency to try to retake the lead.
• Silent Suzuka and Gold Ship worried that Deep Impact had disrupted Kitasan Black’s rhythm.
• Daiwa Scarlet pointed out that Kitasan Black had been careless to expect familiar rivals to cooperate with her usual front-running plan.
• Silent Suzuka explained that Deep Impact and Gold Artisan would not hold back just because they were training alongside Kitasan Black.
• Anjing Zhen watched without intervening and considered Deep Impact’s unexpected tactic valuable preparation for the uncertainties of the Japanese Derby.

During a training race, Kitasan Black struggled to keep pace with Deep Impact until Gold Artisan surged past them and challenged her to run seriously. Deep Impact sensed a terrifying presence closing in from behind and recognized the approaching Horse Girl as Senior Grass Wonder.

• Deep Impact maintained a steady lead through the early turns, leaving Kitasan Black unable to catch her despite her training and efforts.
• Gold Artisan charged forward from the back of the field and overtook Deep Impact on the outside.
• Kitasan Black snapped out of her daze and drove after the two seniors with an intense, unusual running form.
• Gold Artisan and Deep Impact praised Kitasan Black's renewed determination as she pursued them.
• Deep Impact felt a powerful presence approaching from behind and identified the Horse Girl as Senior Grass Wonder.

After a training race in which Kitasan Black experienced the Zone under intense pressure, Anjing Zhen took the exhausted Horse Girls to a hot spring to recover. Deep Impact questioned Kitasan Black about her unwillingness and regret, then warned her that the Japanese Derby would bring opponents willing to risk everything for victory.

• Anjing Zhen and the others checked the Horse Girls for injuries, returned borrowed equipment, and took them to a hot spring inn to recuperate.
• Kitasan Black brought Deep Impact fruit and asked whether she disliked interacting with people, recalling that she had wanted to meet her before.
• Deep Impact asked what Kitasan Black had thought on the Final Bend, and Kitasan Black admitted she felt unwillingness and regret.
• Kitasan Black said she feared shrinking back against Deep Impact at the Japanese Derby would cost her victory, and Deep Impact replied that formidable opponents were inevitable.
• Deep Impact described the Japanese Derby’s history and demanding pace, explaining that many runners risked their lives to become the Derby Horse Girl.

Kitasan Black wrestled with Deep Impact’s warnings about the Zone and whether she truly wanted to risk everything for victory. After walking into a tree while distracted, she and Anjing Zhen shared a tender, awkward moment before he suggested she rest and talk tomorrow.

• Kitasan Black recalled Deep Impact’s words about her declining prime, the dangers of the Zone, and the determination it required.
• Anjing Zhen warned Kitasan Black that she was about to walk into a tree, but she struck its trunk before she could react.
• Anjing Zhen checked the red mark on Kitasan Black’s forehead, and she accidentally gripped his wrist hard enough to leave finger marks.
• Kitasan Black examined Anjing Zhen’s wrist and felt unsettled by the closeness between them.
• Anjing Zhen tapped Kitasan Black’s temple and told her to rest, saying they could talk the next day.

Anjing Zhen continued Kitasan Black’s Japanese Derby preparation and devised unstable-chair training to help her face the fear associated with entering the Zone. After the first sudden jolt made her recognize the sensation, Kitasan Black chose to sit again and asked him to continue.

• Kitasan Black told Anjing Zhen she trusted him to handle the risks of winning, and he assigned her further slope and technique training for the Japanese Derby.
• That evening, Anjing Zhen set up an unstable chair in the Dance Hall and explained that the exercise was special training for the Zone.
• Kitasan Black sat cross-legged on the chair, and Anjing Zhen triggered a sudden sensation that she recognized as a domain.
• Anjing Zhen explained that he could not teach her to master the Zone but could help her face fear through simulated falling.
• Kitasan Black reconsidered her past experiences, reset the chair, and asked Anjing Zhen to repeat the training.