chapter 27: The Lost Family Reunion[II]

"I had a hunch something was off with those statues, they were too detailed, plus, there was no evidence that someone made them, no clay, nor rock chips, not any residue of any sort, it made me suspicious, still, I'm glad it all worked out," the detective said.

"Well, we best be going," Orion said, as the two of them began to walk away, Orion heard tiny feet running towards him.

"Orion, thank you so much!!!" Miu shouted, and Orion turned to face her.

"Thank you for saving my mom, dad, and my sister, but most of all" she paused, she was crying now, "THANK YOU FOR SAVING ME!!" she shouted.

Orion just smiled and took off his hood, much to Atsushi's shock, "You have nothing to thank me for, it is what heroes do after all" he replied.

"When I grow up, I want to be a hero just like you" she smiled, then Orion approached her and knelt to meet her height.

"A hero is someone who does the right thing, someone that helps others, even with nothing to gain, and risks everything for the sake of someone else wellbeing, if you can do that, I don't care if you're in a uniform, cape, tights or apron, you are a hero" he smiled as he patted her head.

She looked at him, blushing at his coolness, "If you put your all into what you do, then I will be proud of you, no matter the path you choose, because everyone can be a hero, even you" he said, she was crying again and she hugged him and whispered "Thank you Shiro", "You're welcome Miu" he whispered back.

"Before I go, I have something for you," he said as he handed her a medallion.

"A medallion, what is this for?" she asked confused.

"Always wear this, it helps with your magic, it will help you control your petrification magic at will, and it can also undo your petrification magic" he explained.

"Wow, really?" she asked excitedly, "Yes it does" he replied.

"How did you get it?" she asked, "A friend of mine made it, it's a magic artifact" he replied.

"That's so cool, thank you very much" she thanked the hero, "It's my pleasure, now, go to your parent, I'm sure you have lots to catch up on" he smiled.

Miu ran to her parent, who embraced her again, "Thank you Orion" her father called out, "It's my duty, take care" he responded, and went back to Atsushi.

"That was an impressive speech," Haru said, wiping a tear.

"But do you really believe that? That everyone can be heroes" he asked.

"Of course," Orion replied with no hesitation, putting his hood back on, "Everyone can be heroes, so long as you have the desire to help others, that is all you will ever need" he added.

Atsushi was touch, he had a truth detection magic, so he could tell Orion meant every word he said.

He chuckled; Orion was confused for a second "Did I say something funny" Orion asked.

"No, no, it's just you're a lot different than I imagined you or how people represent you" he replied.

"Is that so?" Orion asked, "Yeah, the hero agency sees you as a vigilante menace, the top heroes see you in two lights, some see you as a threat, while others see you as a standard that they must reach, but the people see you as a hero, one that they can rely on, you see, the top heroes are symbols of justice and peace, but that's all they are, just a symbol, they are places they can't reach, problems they can't solve, but you, there's nothing you can't do, you basically resurrected the dead back they, while the other heroes are just a symbol, you are the guardian, the top heroes are trying to represent something, but you are the living embodiment of their ideals, dare I say, more than they are" he explained.

"Thank you, detective, for it means much that someone thinks so highly of me" Orion thanked the man and started to hover, ready to take off.

"Well know this, I don't approve of vigilantism, but I have to admit, you can solve problems no other hero can, if you ever need me, I'll be here" Atsushi tipped his hat and got in his cruiser and Orion flew off.