Chapter 18

**Chapter 18: I'm Gonna Be One of the Crystal Eight!!!!!** is the eighteenth chapter of *We are Magical Boys*. It is the final chapter of vol. 3.

## Summary

*Kaito decides to use his wish as a "Crystal Eight" to see his deceased mother. But concerns get the better of him and he starts to have second thoughts.*

## Synopsis

Kaito is hanging out with Makoto, Yellow and Purple at the Kaibara's pool, telling them about a recent event that took place. They note his good mood as of late and Kaito announces that he'll finally be able to get the Nintendo Switch he's been wanting. The others congratulate him and ask what happened, with Makoto remarking that as Magical Boys they are not allowed to steal. Kaito brings up the "*Crystal Eight*" he recently learned about. He aims for that so that his wish will come true. Makoto intervenes to remind Kaito of his pledge to only help people for the sake of good, not selfish gain or to keep score, and Kaito acknowledges that he did say that, and he meant it. But Momo-chan also told him that one could earn more Light Crystals in other ways too. Makoto says this is fine then, but this riles up Purple.

Last year, one of the Eight's made a wish to provide milk and bread to children suffering from hunger. Thousands of Magical Boys help out others by risking their lives and making them happy without worrying about themselves, and it is the boys who bestow the most happiness that become one of the Crystal Eight. So his wish should be something to counterbalance such a burden. He tells Kaito to put serious thought into it and Makoto convinces him to calm down, seeing how shocked Kaito was by his passion. Purple decides to leave and tells Kaito that he'll just get in the way of those of them who take it seriously if he's going to make a half-hearted wish like that, and it won't end well for him.

- - - - -

That evening, Kaito is taking a bath while trying to put more thought into his wish. He isn't able to think of anything, and when he goes out on patrol with Makoto the following day, he suggests Kaito not worry about it too much. It's hard to tell if Purple had his best interest at heart, or if he just wanted one less rival out of the way. Besides, he doesn't have to push for Crystal Eight if he doesn't really have a wish in mind. Kaito wants to say something but reconsiders, causing Makoto to try to force it out of him until Kaito leaves. Before his plan to wish for a Switch, he did have another wish in mind, but he was embarrassed. He isn't even sure if it counts. Suddenly, Makoto returns to ask if he wanted to be put on his families registry, causing Kaito to tell him to go home.

- - - -

Mr. Odagiri visits Kaito during his bath, reminding him to make sure he has his clothes ready for tomorrow when they visit his mothers grave. Kaito assures him that he's ready and his dad leaves. Kaito's mother passed away four years ago, and his original wish involved her. He still feels embarrassed but he is curious, and he decides to call Momo-chan to ask if this kind of wish can come true. Momo-chan doesn't appear to be surprised, and he tells him that it is an acceptable wish. While he can't bring a deceased person back to life, they can reunite in the Land of Magic. Kaito is surprised, but he happily thanks Momo-chan before ending the call. He finishes his bath and decides to chat with Gemini Mandrake about his wish.

His doppelganger asks why he wants to meet his mother again. Kaito confesses that he isn't actually sure, but he loves his mom and misses her a lot. He wants to make her happy by letting her know how things are going, and that he's been trying really hard to be good. He also wants to tell her that he is a magical boy, and he became a real hero. Mandrake goes quiet, and recalls the time Kaito was watching television with his dad. They were eating dinner when a special report on Magical Boys came on. Kaito didn't even know about this program but was very impressed, but his father didn't seem to share the sentiment. He complained about how ridiculous it was and recalls seeing a *Pink Boy* in their town. He doesn't think Magical Boys are cool.

Recalling this makes Kaito feel awkward, but he disregards it until Mandrake points out his mother could have shared the same opinion. Which would mean if he told her the truth, she might become disappointed. Going to bed shortly after, Kaito begins to reconsider his wish again. For him not to say anything, he would feel like he's disrespecting everyone else and doesn't want to do that either. He begins to wonder if he should make a different wish.

- - - - -

Kaito is surprised the following morning when they arrive to see that someone else paid his mom's grave a visit. They stay for observation and leave to have a meal before heading home. Things become awkward as Kaito wants to talk, but he can't bring himself to get started. He really wants to ask his dad about his mom but he's worried that she won't want to see him. He was such a handful back then. He got into trouble and had poor manners when he was little, so she scolded him frequently. But she was always there to support him and took the time to listen to what he wanted to say or show her. He knew she loved him very much.

Kaito finds the courage to ask his dad if his mom liked guys to be "manly". His dad is perplexed by this, but he thinks it over and he explains how she was direct. She didn't like people who were wishy-washy regardless of their gender, so he believes that she liked anyone who had "manly" traits. Kaito isn't happy as he imagines his mom freaking out to see him dressed as a Magical Boy, so he decides to try to think up another suitable wish. But despite his attempt to stay cheerful, he begins to cry realizing that this is the only thing he truly wants. His dad is concerned and attempts to calm Kaito down, and Kaito remains saddened as they make their way home. His dad doesn't understand why he was so upset when he thought by now he moved on, and Kaito asks his dad if his mom would dislike Magical Boys. His dad confirms that she wouldn't, because unlike him, she really liked cute frilly things. He recalls a time when Kaito was little and his mother fawned over how cute he was. He worried about Kaito because he wasn't very bright, but his mother assured him that even if he became a balding old man she would still call him cute- its just how it is for mothers. His mothers definition of manly was someone who worked hard, not how they looked.

Kaito begins to feel better as he recalls his many adventures as a magical boy, and his dad goes on to admit that he complains about them- but its just how they look. He wouldn't want to be one having to dress like that, but he thinks what they do is commendable. Kaito promises to keep working hard by giving tomorrow his all, and his dad encourages him.

- - - -

The guys meet up and Kaito informs Makoto on how he came up with a new wish. He feels a little flustered initially but Makoto offers to tell Kaito something good as a reward, noting how serious he is. He found out that he has *one month* left to collect light crystals. Kaito begins to feel hopeless since he hasn't been a Magical Boy for very long, and that isn't much time left, but Makoto encourages him to keep trying. Besides, he has a beautiful and dependable partner to help him; words that perk Kaito up enough for him to declare his goal of becoming one of the Crystal Eight.