Chapter Summaries

Silent Suzuka and Rice Shower comforted Kitasan Black and reflected on their post-racing careers, then Suzuka explained Stay Gold’s long struggle to win a G1. Kitasan Black realized how formidable Journey’s generation was and learned that Journey would face a difficult challenge in the Dream Cup.

• Silent Suzuka reassured Kitasan Black that her past injury was behind her, and Rice Shower shared how her own injury inspired her to become a nutritionist.
• Silent Suzuka recalled Stay Gold’s strong ability, her near-win in the Tenno Sho Autumn, and her eventual G1 HK Vase victory after five years of racing.
• Kitasan Black considered whether she could persist for years without a G1 win and began to understand the hardship behind brief career summaries.
• Kitasan Black asked whether Journey could win the Dream Cup against her contemporaries, and Silent Suzuka listed the formidable rivals and said it would be difficult.

On the way to the Dream Cup, Kitasan Black learned that the retired runners’ preparations varied, so the race’s outcome was hard to predict. At the racecourse, she reunited with Anzu and, after noticing her growth, Anjing Zhen and the others concluded that Anzu was beginning Full Maturity.

• Silent Suzuka explained to Kitasan Black that the Dream Cup was difficult to predict because the retired participants had maintained different levels of training.
• Kitasan Black and her companions arrived at Fuchu Station and headed to the racecourse to meet Anzu.
• Kitasan Black reunited with Anzu and noticed that she had grown taller since they last met.
• Anzu said she had been eating more and growing taller, prompting Anjing Zhen and the others to suspect she was entering Full Maturity.
• Anjing Zhen explained that Full Maturity would bring a dramatic increase in Anzu’s running ability.

Anjing Zhen considered Almond Eye’s potential for longer races while Duramente secretly came to watch the Dream Cup after arguing with her family about entering the Kikuka Sho. Kitasan Black struggled with Duramente’s choice to change her goals for their promise, and Anjing Zhen suggested they watch the race while he considered what to do next.

• Anjing Zhen judged that Almond Eye’s stride and Final Burst suggested she was better suited to races longer than 1200 meters.
• Duramente approached Kitasan Black in disguise, revealed herself, and asked to speak somewhere private.
• Duramente told Kitasan Black that she had argued with her family over entering the Kikuka Sho and had secretly come to watch the Dream Cup.
• Kitasan Black worried that Duramente was giving up on the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe because of their promise, and looked to Anjing Zhen for help.
• Anjing Zhen recalled Symboli Rudolf’s message asking him to keep Duramente from running off, then suggested Duramente rest and watch the race.

Anjing Zhen reflected on how he and Kitasan Black had begun challenging their limits together and considered Duramente’s possible future injury. As the Dream Cup approached, he named three contestants Kitasan Black should study, emphasizing the importance of learning from long-distance runners.

• Anjing Zhen recalled that Duramente might suffer a fracture after the Japanese Derby and resolved that he did not want her injured in this timeline.
• Anjing Zhen realized he had shifted from merely coaching Kitasan Black to genuinely seeking to challenge their limits together, and he believed their earlier victory over Duramente supported his approach.
• Anjing Zhen told Kitasan Black he could not predict the Dream Cup winner but advised her to watch Machikane Fukukitaru, Seiun Sky, and Mejiro Komei.
• Anjing Zhen explained Mejiro Komei’s long-distance accomplishments and asked Almond Eye whether she could manage another 1,200 meters after a 2,400-meter race.
• Anjing Zhen urged the Horse Girls to learn from the Dream Cup contestants while joking that they should not imitate Mejiro Komei’s slow reactions.

Anjing Zhen and Kitasan Black watched the Summer Dream Trophy begin, with Seiun Sky taking the lead and Mejiro Komei starting slowly at the back. As the runners reached the side straight, the field’s positions showed Komei conserving stamina along the inner lane while the race remained tightly contested.

• Mejiro Dober entered the Paddock after Mejiro Komei, and the announcer introduced her many achievements to the cheering crowd.
• The Summer Dream Trophy started, and Seiun Sky surged into the lead while the other Horse Girls settled into position.
• Kitasan Black noticed Mejiro Komei at the back, and Anjing Zhen explained her naturally slow reaction time and advised Kitasan to study Seiun Sky’s running.
• Anjing Zhen reasoned that Mejiro Komei was saving stamina by hugging the inner lane as she watched the runners ahead.
• The announcer reported Seiun Sky leading into the first turn, with Special Week and Tsurumaru Tsuyoshi close behind, while Mejiro Komei remained last as the field approached the side straight.

Anjing Zhen explained that the confrontation between Seiun Sky and Special Week had been underway since the Start Gate, as Seiun Sky set an unusually fast pace and Special Week stayed close. The race left Seiun Sky’s true strategy unclear, since Special Week’s pressure made her familiar Kikuka Sho pace deception unlikely to work.

• Seiun Sky led the field around the bend, with Special Week close behind and Mejiro Komei trailing.
• Kitasan Black sensed that the apparent lack of clashes did not match Special Week’s usual style, and Anjing Zhen said the confrontation had begun at the Start Gate.
• The commentator announced a startling 34.4-second time at the 600-meter marker, and the spectators recognized the pace as exceptionally fast.
• The commentator suggested Seiun Sky was attempting her Kikuka Sho pace-deception tactic, prompting Kitasan Black to recall Anjing Zhen’s explanation of it.
• Anjing Zhen explained that Special Week had stayed two and a half lengths behind Seiun Sky throughout, making it unlikely Seiun Sky could repeat the tactic and suggesting she had another plan.

The race changed dramatically as Hishi Akebono, Mejiro Dober, and Seiun Sky accelerated in succession, setting off a fierce battle for position. Hishi Akebono charged through the newly opened inner lane and closed in on the leaders as the crowd erupted.

• Special Week watched Hishi Akebono move outward as Butterfly Orchid and Erimo Koryo blocked the path forward.
• Seiun Sky suddenly accelerated after noticing that Special Week, Grass Wonder, and El Condor Pasa had not yet made their moves.
• The commentator announced that Hishi Akebono, Mejiro Dober, and Seiun Sky had accelerated as the field entered the Third Turn.
• Grass Wonder accelerated while Special Week tried to advance, and the runners spread across the track entering the fourth turn.
• Hishi Akebono cut into the open Inner Lane, passed several runners, and began closing in on Grass Wonder and Seiun Sky.
• Spectators cheered wildly as the race surged into a fever pitch.

Anjing Zhen watched the race unfold and explained how Seiun Sky, Machikane Fukukitaru, and Mejiro Komei were using different strategies. As the runners entered the final stretch, El Condor Pasa broke free from the pack and began chasing Seiun Sky.

• Anjing Zhen analyzed how Seiun Sky had conserved her stamina before accelerating, while Special Week and Grass Wonder pursued her and became entangled.
• Anjing Zhen explained that Machikane Fukukitaru was waiting for the right moment to catch Seiun Sky, while Mejiro Komei used an outside line to conserve stamina and build speed.
• Anjing Zhen became swept up in the race and grabbed Kitasan Black's hand as he praised the Horse Girls and said her limits had not yet been reached.
• Kitasan Black blushed, squeezed Anjing Zhen's hand, and wondered what races she might run if she met the limits he expected of her.
• Seiun Sky opened a five-length lead entering the final bend, but Special Week and Grass Wonder closed the gap together.
• El Condor Pasa broke free through an opening as the bend became a straight, prompting Seiun Sky to wonder why she had not gone after Special Week instead.

Seiun Sky’s lead collapsed in the final straight as El Condor Pasa, Special Week, and Grass Wonder closed in, with Hishi Akebono, Mejiro Dober, Machikane Fukukitaru, and Mejiro Komei joining the chase. The Dream Cup approached its finish with the Golden Generation pressing forward, but the chapter ended before the result was revealed.

• Seiun Sky saw Special Week and Grass Wonder charging after her while El Condor Pasa cut inward to overtake.
• Seiun Sky regained her resolve and fought to defend her lead as the announcer described the pack closing in.
• Stay Gold moved inward and forced Butterfly Orchid and Erimo Koryo to change positions, opening a path for Hishi Akebono to advance.
• Mejiro Dober followed Hishi Akebono, while Machikane Fukukitaru and Mejiro Komei pursued from the outer lane.
• Special Week, Grass Wonder, Hishi Akebono, Machikane Fukukitaru, and Mejiro Komei pushed toward the finish as the Dream Cup entered its final 200 meters.

El Condor Pasa overtook Seiun Sky and won the Summer Dream Trophy, with Grass Wonder edging out Special Week for second. After the race, Special Week revealed she had remembered El Condor Pasa’s old teasing and invited everyone to eat together.

• El Condor Pasa drew strength from her memories of past races and accelerated past Seiun Sky.
• Special Week and Grass Wonder dodged Seiun Sky and sprinted after El Condor Pasa, while the other runners charged toward the finish.
• El Condor Pasa crossed the finish line first, Grass Wonder finished ahead of Special Week, and the remaining places awaited a photo finish.
• El Condor Pasa celebrated her victory, and Special Week got up after falling and spitting grass from her mouth.
• Special Week teased El Condor Pasa with the French phrase she had once used, then invited the others to eat together.

After the Dream Cup, Anjing Zhen watched the Horse Girls celebrate and discovered Machikane Fukukitaru had carried a crystal ball throughout her racing career. Kitasan Black praised several seniors’ divination, feng shui, and magic, then lamented that Tosen Raiki had rejected her spell to become a magical girl.

• Anjing Zhen watched Special Week, El Condor Pasa, Grass Wonder, the Mejiro sisters, and Stay Gold mingle after the race.
• Anjing Zhen spotted Machikane Fukukitaru pulling a soccer-ball-sized glass orb from her Victory Outfit to divine for Stay Gold.
• Kitasan Black told Anjing Zhen and Almond Eye that Fukukitaru’s divination was accurate and mentioned Kobayashi Ricky’s feng shui and Tosen Raiki’s magic.
• Almond Eye asked Kitasan Black to introduce her to the seniors, while Duramente wondered whether divination, feng shui, and magic were real.
• Kitasan Black insisted the practices were real and said Tosen Raiki had rejected her spell to become a magical girl.

Anjing Zhen Shen realized he might have feelings for Kitasan Black, then turned his attention to Duramente’s future race plans and a possible accident. He decided to act in advance so Kitasan Black could race Duramente again.

• Anjing Zhen Shen remembered his own youthful fantasies and noticed that he had been holding Kitasan Black’s hand.
• Anjing Zhen Shen considered whether his feelings for Kitasan Black had gone beyond friendship, then grew flustered and tried to distract himself.
• Kitasan Black explained that she and Almond Eye and Duramente had been discussing the upcoming race and asked Anjing Zhen Shen who he thought would win.
• Anjing Zhen Shen concluded that Duramente’s next race would likely be the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and thought about her conflict with her family and Trainer.
• Anjing Zhen Shen decided to prepare for the possibility of an accident and help make it possible for Kitasan Black to face Duramente again.

After Sister Symboli came to retrieve Duramente, Kitasan Black persuaded her to honor their racing promise by competing in different G1 races. Anjing Zhen then raised his plan to arrange comprehensive physical examinations for Kitasan Black, Almond Eye, and possibly Duramente.

• Anjing Zhen planned comprehensive physical examinations for Kitasan Black and Almond Eye and considered inviting Duramente.
• Sister Symboli arrived after the Winner's Stage and asked Duramente to return with her, but Duramente refused because she had promised to race alongside Kitasan Black.
• Kitasan Black told Duramente they could honor their promise by racing in the Kikuka Sho and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, which were both scheduled for October.
• Duramente accepted the challenge and asked what would happen if they both won, and Kitasan Black vowed their rivalry would continue.
• Anjing Zhen asked Sister Symboli whether Duramente had a comprehensive physical examination arranged.

Sister Symboli arranged a medical examination for Duramente and planned to speak with Almond Eye’s family, while Duramente stayed overnight with Kitasan Black. As the two talked about racing, Duramente asked Kitasan Black how she wanted to run her upcoming races, leaving Kitasan Black wondering how Duramente approached competition.

• Sister Symboli agreed to arrange a full medical examination for Duramente and contact Almond Eye’s family, and Anjing Zhen agreed that she should handle the conversation.
• Anjing Zhen and Sister Symboli decided that Duramente would stay at his hotel until after the examination the next day.
• Kitasan Black made Duramente’s bed, then played a video game with her in their hotel room.
• Duramente asked Kitasan Black how she wanted to run the Saint Lite Kinen, and Kitasan Black realized she had always followed Anjing Zhen’s race plans.
• Kitasan Black praised Anjing Zhen’s predictions and asked Duramente whether she simply raced however she felt.

Duramente told Kitasan Black how others’ expectations had shaped her pursuit of becoming the strongest Horse Girl, prompting Kitasan to reflect on her own motivations and encourage them both to follow their different paths toward their dreams. After comprehensive examinations, Anjing Zhen and Symboli Rudolf discovered that Duramente had crystalline inflammation, a condition that could lead to fractures if left uncontrolled.

• Duramente told Kitasan Black that she had once eaten dorayaki for days because Sister Symboli had asked what she liked, and said she pursued the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe because others had told her to become the strongest Horse Girl.
• Kitasan Black reflected on the people and dreams that motivated her, then told Duramente that their different reasons for racing could still lead them to achieve their dreams.
• Kitasan Black and Duramente admitted they had stayed up late playing Monster Hunter, and Symboli Rudolf warned Duramente to balance rest and work.
• Almond Eye arrived at the hospital with her parents, and Kitasan Black, Duramente, and Almond Eye underwent comprehensive examinations.
• Anjing Zhen and Symboli Rudolf reviewed Duramente's results and found crystalline inflammation that could cause serious consequences, including fractures, if left uncontrolled.

Anjing Zhen, Symboli Rudolf, and Agnes Tachyon reviewed Duramente’s medical report, which showed that her inflammation required a reduced training load and several months of recovery. Symboli Rudolf agreed to explain the risk to Duramente, and Agnes Tachyon offered to help persuade her before promising to discuss Kitasan Black’s situation with Anjing Zhen.

• Anjing Zhen noticed the report linked Duramente’s inflammation to a diet high in purines, and the doctor recommended avoiding such foods and reducing her training.
• Agnes Tachyon explained that she understood Duramente’s disappointment because tendinitis had ended her own racing career after the Satsuki Sho.
• Symboli Rudolf said Duramente had argued with her parents and recently sneaked out, leaving her unsure how to explain the need for months of rest.
• Agnes Tachyon warned that ignoring the inflammation could lead to fractures and force Duramente to give up the Shining Series.
• Symboli Rudolf resolved to explain the situation to Duramente and asked Agnes Tachyon to help persuade her.
• Agnes Tachyon agreed to assist with Duramente and told Anjing Zhen they could discuss Kitasan Black’s situation when she returned.

Agnes Tachyon examined Kitasan Black and recognized that Anjing Zhen had designed training to improve her unusually high heart rate. After Agnes revealed her fascination with Anjing's physical capabilities and asked for Kitasan's training logs, Anjing agreed to share them under strict conditions.

• Agnes Tachyon explained Kitasan Black's examination results and recommended that she maintain her current training.
• Agnes Tachyon noted Kitasan Black's average heart rate of 26 and asked Anjing Zhen for a copy of her training log.
• Agnes Tachyon praised Anjing Zhen's physical condition and lamented that he was not a Horse Girl who could pursue the limits of speed.
• Anjing Zhen agreed to provide Kitasan Black's training logs and some of his own insights, provided Agnes Tachyon kept them for personal research and did not share them without his permission.

Anjing Zhen shared his professional insights with Agnes Tachyon, then reflected on Almond Eye’s parents refusing to entrust their daughter to him for now. He focused on Kitasan Black’s upcoming races and the Arima Kinen as the next chance to prove her lasting strength.

• Anjing Zhen decided he was willing to share his private training insights with Agnes Tachyon, who promised to follow his requirements.
• Agnes Tachyon told Anjing Zhen that Symboli Rudolf had arranged for Almond Eye’s parents to speak with him.
• Almond Eye’s parents said they preferred their existing plan for her short-distance and mile races, leaving open only the possibility of reconsidering after more impressive results.
• Anjing Zhen concluded that Almond Eye’s parents were unlikely to change their minds this year and reviewed Kitasan Black’s upcoming race schedule.
• Anjing Zhen considered the Arima Kinen a chance for Kitasan Black to prove that her achievements marked the beginning of a lasting rise.

Anjing Zhen stayed up reviewing Kitasan Black’s training and considered the challenge of her entering the Arima Kinen in her Classic Year. After he explained how much her performance had improved, Kitasan Black asked if something had been troubling him.

• Anjing Zhen worried that winning the Arima Kinen in her Classic Year would be difficult for Kitasan Black, even if her popularity secured her entry.
• Kitasan Black visited Anjing Zhen late at night after bathing and asked about her training performance.
• Anjing Zhen reviewed her progress, explaining that her endurance and techniques had improved enough to give her a theoretical advantage of about six horse lengths over her past Kikuka Sho performance.
• Kitasan Black listened closely, brought Anjing Zhen water, and asked whether he had something on his mind lately.

Anjing Zhen confided his worries about Anzu’s family to Kitasan Black, who encouraged him to aim for more victories and try a Great Escape at the Saint Lite Kinen. After summer vacation, Kitasan Black learned that Meisei-chan was sick and planned to visit her with Satono Crown, but someone burst into the classroom asking for Kitasan Black.

• Kitasan Black guessed that Anjing Zhen’s worries were about Little Anzu and helped him see Anzu’s parents’ concerns about his future.
• Anjing Zhen told Kitasan Black about his conversation with Anzu’s family and the doubts it had raised.
• Kitasan Black vowed to win the Saint Lite Kinen, Kikuka Sho, and Arima Kinen, and urged Anjing Zhen to try a Great Escape at the Saint Lite Kinen.
• After summer vacation, Kitasan Black learned from Satono Crown that Meisei-chan was sick and proposed visiting her after training.
• Someone slammed open the classroom’s back door and loudly asked which student was Kitasan Black.