Chapter 15

**Chapter 15: It's Time For Me to Get It Back By Myself!!** is the fifteenth chapter of *We are Magical Boys*. It is the third chapter of vol. 3.

## Summary

*Makoto decides to confront his problem to reclaim his ability to transform!*

## Synopsis

Makoto heads out to *Okinaki* to wait outside a school building. His pretty appearance draws the eye of other students, wondering if he came to meet someone. Makoto impatiently waits for *Red* to show himself, checking around the area to make sure he didn't miss him. No matter what, he is determined to get the Girliseal off.

- - - -

A few days ago, Kaito returned to the library with the Beastly trio. Momo-chan suggested he take it easy for now because of his efforts, promising to contact him if he found anything out. But Kaito was a little worried over what his plans were for them. Momo-chan explains that they have to be interrogated to try to determine what caused them to give into their "Beastliness", to see if it can help prevent the same thing from happening to more Magical Boys. Then he'll release them. This relieves Kaito after Momo-chan assures them it will be safe as long they aren't vicious. There are various paths they can take from here; there are boys who lose their Transformation Rings once their full attachment to being a Magical Boy disappears, some who stay Beasts and some who regain the power in their hearts and can return to being Magical Boys again. Kaito is surprised to learn that some boys can return to the side of good until Momo-chan explains that it's because Beastliness is just a warped form of Girliness.

With that, everyone heads outside to see Kaito off. He assures Makoto that he can leave everything to him and does a cute pose, only for Makoto to remark on how stupid he looks. They bicker before he takes off, and Makoto expresses happiness in having a nice friend like Kaito. But after he gets into bed, he realizes that by doing nothing his Girliness will remain weak even if they break the curse. He has to gain the strength to overcome it on his own. Momo-chan doesn't have any ideas on how to go about this, which led Makoto to decide to look for Red first. He's going to try negotiating with him, and one of the boy's he talked to at the party recognized his description, saying they go to his school. Makoto did his research to determine that Red is a twelve year old boy named "*Rakuto Kirishima*".

He felt a little nervous about coming here on his own, especially when he can't even transform in case of trouble. But this had to be done. He has to get back what he obtained by himself, if he can do that then he will grow from the experience and the Girliseal will no longer effect him.

- - - -

Makoto continues his search for Rakuto and has yet to see anyone else with a Transformation Ring. He reminds himself to stay on guard because of his tendency to appear when least expected, and he really doesn't want him showing up from behind. His attention is caught by yelling nearby, a fight broke out between some sixth graders and some middle-school boys. He decides to investigate to find Rakuto beating up the older boys until they make a hasty retreat.

Makoto spots his Transformation Ring but hesitates to approach seeing how violent he could be. But as he watches him raise the spirits of the younger boys, he decides to offer Rakuto a tissue seeing how bloody his nose is. But once he reveals knowing his identity Rakuto starts running from him. Makoto tries to convince him to stay since his intentions weren't to fight, but Rakuto remarks that he isn't afraid of him, he just doesn't want to be around a coward. If he wants to talk then he has to catch him.

Makoto tells him off because he knows Red is aware he isn't athletic, so he can't be expected to keep up with him. He loses sight of him, until Rakuto throws an empty can at his head and teases him from across the path. He decides to take off, but not before suggesting that he to tell Kaito to come for a visit.

- - - -

The following day Makoto is further aggravated, but he's returned to try again. He's taking their game of catch more seriously, having put on running shoes. But this doesn't help him any, leading Rakuto to make fun of him again.

The next day Makoto uses his wits to out-maneuver Rakuto by leaping on him when he didn't expect it. Students around them watch curiously as he tells Rakuto that he caught him, so he has to talk to him now. Rakuto tosses Makoto into the river behind them, then he teases him before leaving.

- - - -

Makoto returns to his apartment and summons Gemini Mandrake to converse with. He has no way of catching Rakuto like this, and he's being difficult by refusing to speak with him- but in a strange way, he doesn't seem like that bad of a guy. He did something bad to him, but he acts like a good upperclassmen to the younger kids, and he is very skilled.

Suddenly, someone calls Makoto's Transformation Ring. It's *Whispery Aquamarine* from the party. Aquamarine explains that because he was curious he did some asking around about Red. He was able to figure some things out, and if Makoto wants to hear about it he's more than happy to divulge what he knows.

- - - -

After school, Rakuto seems disappointed Makoto wasn't there, but upon spotting him, he takes off once again. Makoto recalls his discussion with Aquamarine as he runs after him. He informed him that *Charging♠Red* no longer existed, having fell to Beastliness. The reason is common among the fallen Magical Boys, he couldn't recover from a failure and he gradually lost confidence until this happened. But there's a bigger problem at hand; he is a beast aiming for Pink. Aquamarine pulls out a picture to reveal the horns Red covers up. They are on the smaller side, which means that his regrets are bigger than his hatred for Magical Boys. He genuinely wants another chance, and in order to get it he most-likely made a deal with someone who wants Thrilling♡Pink in exchange for helping.

Makoto reasons that this makes no sense when the change has to do with ones heart, but Aquamarine has more to tell him. Rakuto has always been good at sports, even if he was new to them he was just naturally gifted, so he could effortlessly be clad in his Girliness. But because of him being so skilled, he never had to work hard, so he couldn't figure out how to and couldn't recover from a mistake he made. He earnestly believes that to become a Magical Boy again, he has to rely on others.

Makoto manages to surprise Rakuto with his increased running speed, and with his full heart and perseverance, Makoto leaps onto him. He refuses to be thrown off again until they talk, and Rakuto agrees this time. He asks Makoto why he seems different today, and Makoto pulls up his sleeve while remarking that the power of his heart was the cause. His transformation ring lights up, and he reveals that he was able to overcome the Girliseal with his strong feelings. He can't transform yet, but this helped. Rakuto asks if it was anger that he felt towards him, and Makoto smiles while confirming he is right. He heard a lot about Rakuto, and he realized that he doesn't know very much about how hard it is to be fully clad in Girliness. Which is why he can use curse items like a Girliseal on someone like him, and it annoyed him greatly. He refused to let it best him.

He tells Rakuto that the power of heart doesn't have to rely on anyone else, so even he can return to being a Magical Boy if he really wants to. He goes on to ask Rakuto to promise not to take Pink away, suggesting that the three of them could become good friends. Rakuto becomes quiet, only to burst into laughter before transforming, startling Makoto when he sees his appearance is different. Red tells Makoto that he should mind his own business and grabs him from behind, holding his scythe near him. He knows how hard it is to be clad in Girliness, but a person is more likely to accept help when offered.

Makoto internally panics as he realizes that he got careless and shouldn't have come alone. Rakuto decides to use this as a means of convincing Kaito to come with him and lifts Makoto up, demanding he show him the way to his place. But to their surprise, Thrilling♡Pink arrives.