Chapter 19

**Chapter 19: I Haven't Lost Sight of Who I Am As a Hero!!** is the nineteenth chapter of *We are Magical Boys*. It is the first chapter of vol. 4.

## Summary

*After Lofty Purple tells Kaito that he doesn't believe someone like him would be suited for the "Crystal Eight", Kaito desperately searches for help to obtain more crystals.*

## Synopsis

The boys spent most of their time patrolling trying to collect as many Light Crystals as possible by doing good deeds around town. While observing their hard-work, Makoto reveals they collected 72 tonight, and with this week's efforts in total, they are up to 368. The 8th place from last year barely managed to get in and his total was *2,630,000* Light Crystals. Kaito is impressed but he feels hopeless again, threatening to hit Makoto when he points out this was to be expected, given their short time collecting. Kaito doesn't understand how some guys can get so many and Makoto remarks that he visits the library when he needs help. But in Kaito's case he suggests asking Purple, who has experience with this.

Kaito refuses, claiming that he's been acting snobby towards him lately. He ran into him the other day at Rengoku to inform him of his brand new wish. Purple was receptive of it, and Kaito promised that he would work his hardest, and if he couldn't make it this year he would just try again the next. Purple becomes exasperated, and expresses that he wasn't trying to encourage Kaito. He was trying to tell him that he didn't think he was suited to be one of the Crystal Eight. He acts like a hero, but he is a pure boy who will only get tricked or betrayed by someone else, he won't be able to handle it and he'll lose sight of who he is as a hero. This infuriates Kaito but Purple remains certain, pointing out that watching him play with Yellow was what made him come to this conclusion. Neither of them are very smart either.

After that, he told Purple off and left. Makoto criticizes Kaito for being short-tempered like that. Purple could have been a powerful ally for them. Kaito insists he didn't do anything wrong, and he heads out to handle patrol on his own when Makoto decides to call it an evening.

- - - -

Kaito is walking through town feeling frustrated. He has three weeks left and he can't figure out what more he can be doing. It's then someone calls for his attention, and he finds a Tokimekian, who introduces himself as *Pepero*, a "*Special Crystal Advisor*". With only three weeks remaining, he has come in search of a student that he can help obtain more Light Crystals. Kaito is surprised, but suspicious and worries that Purple would make fun of him if he fell for a trick. Just then, Pepero gets a call and to Kaito's shock, it's Purple. He wanted to thank him for his help and reveals that he gathered 20,000 crystals just in one day. Pepero ends the call and remarks that Purple is in sixth place because of his help. Kaito begs Pepero to teach him too and he agrees, asking that they meet up tomorrow. Kaito agrees and happily heads off; unaware that Pepero is actually a swindler. It wasn't even Purple that he was talking to, but someone dressed like him.

- - - -

Kaito arrives to find a hero show venue, and he is confused as Pepero locates him. He explains that Kaito will be replacing someone who is unable to go on today. Kaito doesn't understand the point in this, until Pepero explains that in order to learn he must change things up first. Patrolling around town is very inefficient, as he learns about being a hero from the stage show several children watching will shower him with Crystals. Kaito still isn't sure, until he realizes he will be getting the chance to work with his most favorite superheroes. Kaito goes out as Thrilling Pink and he feels really good, getting to have fun in a show like this while earning several Crystals. After the show ends, he is shocked to find a bathtub full of them; way more than what he earned during his short stint as an idol. Pepero assures him that this is because of how honest children are with their feelings.

For the time being, he will hold onto the Light Crystals, then once they finish their lessons they will evenly split them. Kaito agrees and asks if he will be doing this every day. Pepero confirms, causing Kaito to worry because he should be patrolling too. Pepero turns it on him by asking Kaito if he thinks he isn't doing good by making children smile, and he riles Kaito up by claiming that there is a rumor going around, saying that some magical boys are accomplices in crimes and receive crystals from bad people. Kaito angrily wants to put a stop to this but Pepero reminds him that it's only a rumor. But he was trying to tell Kaito that he doesn't have to worry about patrolling, because he already is a hero. The superheroes agree that Kaito is doing really good, and with their encouragement he decides to continue.

- - - -

Soon the three weeks are up, and Pepero will be taking half of the crystals as payment. He believes by now Kaito should be close to the boy in eighth place, so he stands a chance at becoming one of the Crystal Eight. They exchange farewells after Kaito thanks him for his help, delightfully taking flight through town. He remains confident when he bumps into Purple, and he brings up results day approaching. Purple seems confused as Kaito announces that he sought guidance from Pepero, which he remarks sounds weird, and he quickly deduces Kaito got scammed- Pepero probably took all of the crystals and left for Tokimekia.

Kaito is in disbelief and he accuses Purple of lying to him out of envy, but before they can do anything a woman screams for help. He flies to her rescue while Purple chases the guys harassing her away. Kaito checks on the girl and observes the crystal that appears from her gratitude, which Purple takes hold of before theorizing that Kaito didn't think much about it. Kaito tries to deny the accusation but Purple refuses to believe him, telling him that by falling for Pepero's trick, he is losing his vital spirit and feelings of gratitude when thanked by someone. He asks if he can truly call himself a hero as he is now, and if he can face his mother with those kinds of feelings.

Kaito angrily attacks Purple and tells him off for acting high and mighty. He reminds him of the way he used to act when they met, and how serious this was to him because it was the only way for him to see his mother. Purple avoids him before hitting Kaito to snap him out of it, but when Kaito starts crying he gets caught off-guard. Lately things are different, and Purple's been so harsh with him and he isn't having fun anymore. Purple expresses that he shouldn't have expected otherwise, he's been trying to look out for him to make sure he doesn't repeat his past mistakes. It's easy to feel impatient or anxious when one sets a high goal for themselves, but crystals gained too easily will eventually warp his Girliness. Kaito is startled when he realizes that Beastliness has began to effect him, and Purple explains that this is because the more innocent someone is the easier they fall. Their Girliness will warp further because they realize they are becoming someone they aren't.

As the sun begins to set and Kaito calms down, the boys ascend into the sky to head home. Kaito apologizes for his behavior and Purple assures him it's alright, he was being meddlesome. But he did want to tell him that if he had never met Kaito, he might have kept acting the way he used to, so he doesn't want Kaito to forget how horrible he felt earlier. As long as he does that then he'll manage to become one of the Crystal Eight some day. Kaito thanks him and the boys prepare to split up, with Purple reminding him to come hang out with Yellow again soon. Kaito agrees, and he asks that Purple hang out with him too, and that they play more games together. Purple seems flustered, making Kaito curious as he agrees.

Reuniting with Makoto, they head over to Amaryllis to watch the results of the Crystal Eight. But to Kaito's frustration there is a breaking news report regarding Pepero; who was caught and arrested at the beach in Tokimekia earlier for scamming Magical Boys out of their crystals. Whispery Aquamarine and Makoto remark on how gullible people are to fall for tricks like this, with Kaito silent, unwilling to admit he was one of them. But his rage when he responds causes Makoto to quickly deduce he was a victim too.

The Crystal Eight report comes on and they eagerly return their attention to the monitor, anticipating to see if Purple managed to get in the ranking. Kaito happily jumps up after seeing that he placed and Makoto asks Aquamarine if they can reserve Amaryllis for a party later. He agrees but remarks with surprise as he recalls Purple came by the other day to buy a bunch of juice as thanks. The boys are confused, and Aquamarine realizes they weren't informed: Purple was planning to retire as a Magical Boy if he placed in the rankings and could have his wish granted.