A flashing white light surrounded the two of us and the next thing I knew, we were back in my hometown. Obviously we had landed in a place where no one would see us, but I managed to recognise where I was. 

"Hey! I'm back home!" I exclaimed happily. "And my house isn't too far from here!"

"That's cool!" Hikki chirped.

"Thanks Hikki!" I thanked.

"Anytime." He responded. "So.....I guess, I'll see you round then?" He asked hopefully.

"Oh, err...yeah. I guess?" I replied.

"Are you really gonna do it?" He questioned.

"Do what?" I inquired.

"Are you really gonna become a Celestial Guardian like us?" He asked curiously. From the look in his eyes, he was kinda hoping for me to say yes.

"Oh! Well, err....." I looked down. "I'm not sure." I responded. I noticed his face drop slightly. 

"It's not that I don't want to! Its just, I'm still trying to process all of this at once." I answered honestly.

"Oh, I get ya." Hikki understood.

"I mean...I've never been in a situation like this before. I've just become face to face with a life changing decision. It's a lot for me to handle." I admitted. 

"It's okay." Hikki replied  kindly.

"Like Raiden said: Take all the time you need. When I was summoned to the shrine, I was nervous too. But the guys all supported and accepted me and I'm certain they would do the same for you too. I definitely would." He smiled. I couldn't help but smile too.

"But whatever happens, I'm sure you'll make the right decision." He concluded, before turning around to head back.

"Oh! Before you go!" I blurted out, causing him to stop in his tracks and look back at me.

"Thanks for err.... showing and taking me to....you know..... the shrine." I thanked with a small blush on my cheeks.

"No biggie! I'm glad I ran into you!" He beamed. "It was great to meet a new friend today! Plus another just like us!" 

My eyes lit up with surprise. 'Friend?'

"Hope to see you again soon." He grinned widely. "Bye!" With that, he shot off like a bolt of yellow lightning.

"He sure is fast." I mumbled to myself. I casually started to walk back home. It was evening and the sun was slowly starting to set. The sky was pinkish-orange due to the setting sun. It cast a warm blanket of light over the houses, like a gentle flame. I put a hand to my chest. 

"Did he just call me a friend? An actual friend?!" The blush appeared back on my cheeks, my face was almost the same colour as the evening sky. No one had ever called me their friend before. That made me feel so happy.

It wasn't long before I got to my house. I opened my front door and stepped into my home. The delicious smell of food filled the air. Mom had obviously been cooking.

"Mom I'm home!" I called out. 

"Hi Sweetie! You're just in time! Dinners almost ready!" She replied from the kitchen.

A few minutes later, Mom and I were both sitting down at the dinner table. We started tucking into the food that Mom laid before us. 

"So how was your day today?" She inquired with interest. "Was it fun? "Did you make any new friends?"

I looked up at her, I wasn't sure what I was supposed to say. She didn't know that I had gone to look for the shrine, or that I had met the actual Celestial Guardians. I didn't feel ready to tell mom the whole story. After I swallowed my mouthful of food, I gave her an answer. 

"Yeah, I did have an interesting day today and I did meet some new people. A lot of them actually." Which was the truth.

"Oh really?!" She gasped. "We're they nice? What were they like?"

"Err...Yeah! They were nice." I gave her a smile. "They were strange, but they were also fascinating. I don't think I've ever met any body like them, they seemed to welcome me instantly. It was like they understood me." I expressed.

"That's wonderful." Mom replied. Her eyes looked like they were about to water. "I'm so happy you've made some new friends. If they seemed to like you, you should see them more often."

"You really think so mom?" I blinked.

"Definitely." She responded, as if it was the most obvious answer. 

"If you find a friend who appreciates and accepts you for who you are...then you should always cherish your friendship with them." She encouraged.

Upon hearing her words, I instantly remembered Hikki calling me a friend. From the way he said it, he genuinely meant it. I can always tell when somebody is being genuine about something.

"I want nothing more than for you to be happy." Mom said caringly. 

I smiled. "Thanks Mom."

I decided I would wait a little longer, before I could tell her the whole truth. First, I had to take what Raiden said to heart.

Once again, I spent the night lying awake in my bed. I was still processing everything that happened today. I thought about all the different people, who were chosen as the current Celestial Guardians. I was so awestruck that they really existed and that I got to meet them in person. Though they were far different than what I had imagined. They seemed to be no different than regular people. But at the same time, they were unique and outstanding. They were all different and interesting in their own way. I recalled about how I felt different from all the other kids in my school. But seeing these incredible individuals, made me feel like my differences were normal. 

First, I was nervous at meeting them. But once we actually got acquainted, they instantly welcomed me. That Yuto guy seemed a bit hesitant to have me there, but everyone else was really welcoming. That was more than what I had hoped for. I liked him, I'd never met anybody how was as friendly as him. But now they were asking me to become one of them. Especially Hikki, he was really sweet to me. But now they were asking me to become one of them. 

I debated the answer in my mind. On one hand, I thought how wonderful it would be, to actually to put my powers to something amazing as this. I would actually be using them for a good cause and I would helping people, just like I have always wanted to.

But on the other hand, I thought about how crazy it would be. Thinking about it made me super nervous. What if I wouldn't be able to do it? What if I was too scared or I wasn't up for the task? There hasn't even been a thirteenth guardian before, let alone one representing 'Vulpecula the fox'. So we wouldn't even know what abilities I would develop.

Furthermore, it sounded really dangerous. I would be putting myself in real danger. What would Mom think? She would be terrified at the thought of me facing against those demons. What if something bad happened to me? She would be devastated. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if I did that to her. 

However, I remembered them mentioning about how those monsters had started to show up more. What if a creature even worse than the one I'd faced, suddenly appeared in my town? What if my Mom got attacked and I wouldn't be able to do anything to protect her? I definitely wouldn't be able forgive myself if something happened to her and I couldn't prevent it.

I tossed and turned, while burying my face in the pillow. I huffed in frustration, before looking to the mark on my arm. Why was I given these abilities? Was Raiden right? Was I truly chosen to become a guardian like him and the rest of them?

Do I really want to spend the rest of my life living in doubt of myself? Do I want to carry on living a plain, boring life among people who don't understand me, aside from my mother? Not knowing if I'll ever be good enough, or able to accomplish anything?

If there was really more that I could do with my life, then how could I contribute my abilities for the greater good? They said people were chosen as guardians for a reason. What was my reason for receiving this mark?

Plus, there was so much more I wanted to learn about my powers and myself. I wanted to see the other guardians again and learn more about each and every one of them, especially Hikki. I wanted to grow stronger and become someone great. I had always wanted to find my purpose in life and why I had these abilities. The answer I had been searching for my whole life, was literally right in front of me.

The thoughts and nerves rattled through my head and body, like hailstones in a thunderstorm. I rubbed the star shaped pin Raiden gave me in between my fingers. All I had to do was activate it and the guardians would come to me. After staring at it for a few minutes, I decided I would give myself till the end of the end of the week, before I would make my final decision.

I put the pin away safely away in my draw and snuggled under the soft covers of my bed. The best thing for me to do now, was to get some rest. I clearly had a long day and I was exhausted. I would be able to think a lot clearer, once I had gotten a good night sleep.