Another one shot... this one is a different "leader" than the one in the previous chapter.

set before the "hope" mission where you fight the director and Shio flies to the moon making everyone all sad.

Lushard: glad you liked that one; as for why it's a one-shot it's all because I wrote it on random while eating all on my lonesome. I tend to change how I write though.

please enjoy some random plot~

oh and if you ask why Sakuya and Tsubaki aren't there it's because I couldn't find the right words to portray them. OTL

Leader's clothes

Top: Pansy Hoodie (Violet) | Assault Coat (Blue)

Bottoms: Pansy Flared Mini (Violet plaid miniskirt, knee high socks and running shoes) | Assault Pants (Blue)

Kota

I sit at the edge of my bed staring at the floor, wondering if I made the right decision of coming back; not to mention the number of things that could also go wrong. Hey just because I'm optimistic most of the time doesn't mean I can't get all depressed and emotional like everyone else. Damn it now I'm thinking to myself. The bed creaks with every sigh that escape from my lips; the uncertainty of what's going to happen is frustrating me I can't do anything to relax.

A knock on the door snaps me from my thoughts.

"Hey, you look like you need to talk." It's leader. She walks over to me and places a hand on my shoulder, as if she knew the conflict in my head.

"I really… really struggled to make up my mind." With my eyes still on the floor I felt my emotions twist inside me, "But unless I did something… I thought... that I'd never become a hero." I lift my uncertain eyes to meet Leaders.

"Don't worry we'll get Shio back no matter what it takes." she looks into my eyes, accompanied with a gentle smile and I felt my worries dissipate. She really has that effect on most of us; even Karel and Shun bend to it.

"Come on… Let's go rescue Shio!" feeling extremely energized I stand and grin right at her. What happened next was something I'd never expected; Leader chuckled and kissed my forehead affectionately, like mom would whenever I'd return to the Den.

"Right, we have to protect our 'family'. You should get ready, I'll meet you at the Entrance, don't forget to bring flash bombs." With a wave of her hand she leaves my room.

Alisa

My eyes scan the room. Magazines and clothes thrown haphazardly on the floor and tables in organized disarray as I make my way to the sink; to my far left are the matryoshka dolls neatly arranged into a row that I brought back with me from Russia, nearest to me are my nail care products that include nail polish; to the right are facial care products and cosmetics. A sigh escapes my lips just as I heard a knock on the door.

"It's open." Leader entered soon after the words left my mouth, I felt my lips twitch from relief.

"How are you feeling?" she half sat on the wooden divider as she gave looked at me once-over.

"To be honest… I never thought that I'd be coming back to this room." I laughed a bit and looked fondly around the room once again, a feeling of warmth and nostalgia heavy on my heart.

"I met so many people, and was changed by them. Shio, Sakuya, and Lindow…" I ran a shaking hand through my hair; nervousness and guilt surfacing through my memories.

"To overcome my inner weakness and make up for the mistakes that I've made that's why I'm here now!" I look up into leader's kind eyes approving of the new resolve that I had stated.

"As long as you remember that you're not alone and that shouldering everything is bad for your health ok?" she gave me a smile that lifted my spirits somewhat; her words like a candle lit to help me see where I'm going when I lose sight.

"Yes, I'll go and prepare for Shio" I turn to the terminal at the corner of my room and just as I stepped onto the platform warm arms encircle my arms. I was momentarily stunned by the sudden warmth.

"Let's go and get our imouto back" with that said Leader turned and left leaving me with a hopeful heart.

Leader

I enter my room to change clothes since wearing a skirt and hoodie seemed inappropriate and hindering to the urgency of the situation, not that I've let that stop me from impulsively wearing certain articles of clothing in an unsuitable environment. I pull over my plastic clothes container and pull out an assault coat and pants, both in blue. Shedding my previous clothes I proceed to get into clean pants and just as I pull the black sports bra over my chest the door opens letting a certain white haired crush of mine in, looking like there's nothing wrong with barging into a girls room.

"With those guys back, I think it'll help the team somewhat. Of course, that includes you, too." He stands a few feet from me, his eyes looking at me yet not exactly at me. Ah, I'm not making sense again.

"Is there something wrong with that?" I try to keep the twisting feeling from getting the best of me.

"No… this is what I meant to say" He whips his gaze straight into mine locking me from looking elsewhere. "…Please, help us out!"

"Alright~ Soma-kun" Honestly, what else can I say when he had that determination in his eyes that threatened to shatter at any given moment should I say the alternative "no". Breaks my heart though, since I know he loves Shio and not me; so I endure the twinge, twists and turns that my heart experiences as I replay in my mind the events at the carrier.

"Oh, man… thanks." Soma gathers me into a tight embrace within a nanosecond and effectively short circuits my brain from any and all function; but that's not the best and gruelling part! What happens next is that he cups my face and crushes his lips into mine for a brief kiss; I would have kissed back if he had not pulled back and said the most heart shattering words.

"…Let's go get Shio back!" with that he strides out of my room to get ready.

I back up against the wall, knees all wobbly, and slide down onto the floor letting my emotions run wild; I get the awful feeling that, whatever the result of this campaign may be, I need to support all of them regardless of my own emotional needs. A bitter laugh escapes me as I finish dressing up.

"I'm just the leader after all" with that I don my battle hardened leader persona and make my way up to where they're all waiting, where Shio is waiting.

Thanks for reading~

ah to think I couldn't sleep and it's now 6 in the morning OTL