Like it? Hate it? Keep in mind this is merely the prologue to the actual story. Don't send pointless flames of I just don't like it, but criticism and helpful pointers/suggestions or things you want to happen are more than welcome.

Ryoma stifled a yawn as he carefully squirmed his way out from his spot in the middle of the bed. He'd ended up in the center of the mattress with two lovers on either side again. He'd fallen asleep on Kunimitsu with Keigo sprawled in the middle as Shusuke covered Genichirou's body with his own, yet somehow they always ended up in the same positions. Kunimitsu would lay on one side with his back facing the wall as he spooned Shusuke to him. He would, more often than not, reach an arm over the Tensai to rest his hand on Ryoma's waist. On the other side of the bed Genichirou would sleep with his back facing the door and an arm over Keigo, who slept on his back, so that his hand rested atop Kunimitsu's.

Ryoma silently stretched, before grabbing his robe and clothes, and headed for the shower. He was sure the four of them were aware of him getting out of bed at this ungodly hour but it seemed none of them had completely woken up which he was pleased about. To be truthful Ryoma wasn't sure if this relationship would last for him. The other four had been together for a year prior to them asking Ryoma to join them 3 months ago. They had dated for about two months, sometimes it led to him joining them for the night and sometimes not, before he'd moved in with them a month back. There was no problem when they had sex, individually or in a group, the problem lay in daily interaction. Other than tennis he had yet to find many common interests with them.

Kunimitsu had loaned Ryoma one of his favorite books, one that would normally have taken an avid reader like Ryoma two days to read had ended up taking nearly two weeks for him to force his way through. He'd never asked for reading material again.

Shusuke had asked Ryoma to be his model for a photography project for school, and while he'd enjoyed kissing Ryoma awake after he'd fallen asleep in the middle of it he hadn't asked him to pose again. Shusuke had then handed him a camera and told him to give it back when he'd used up the film. When the pictures were developed Shusuke's smile was a little strained as he handed Ryoma back 24 pictures of Karupin sleeping in various places.

Genichirou had started teaching Ryoma kendo and while the younger boy wasn't passionate about it like he was with tennis he did excel in it. This seemed to please Genichirou greatly so Ryoma stuck with it as a hobby.

Keigo was the one Ryoma had the most volatile relationship with. They fought at least once a week if not more, and while the make up sex was explosive Ryoma didn't think there was enough between the two to keep them going. Keigo had once tried to impart his fashion sense on Ryoma which had led to their first big argument. Ryoma had sent over half of his new wardrobe to a homeless shelter saying he wouldn't touch anything that looked even remotely close to something Mizuki of St. Rudolph's would consider wearing. Keigo hadn't been angry about where Ryoma had sent the clothes, it was more along the lines of Ryoma leading him to believe he'd destroyed them just to insult his taste in clothes.

Still, there was tennis and he had to admit that there were other subjects they all enjoyed debating on for hours but Ryoma just wasn't sure if it was enough. After all he'd tried several things they were all passionate about but none of them had sough to try anything he was interested in.

Fully dressed in his favorite shorts and shirt Ryoma exited the bathroom and walked over to the bedside table next to Genichirou where his hat had somehow ended up. Before he could pick it up though his left hand was caught by the half asleep Rikkaidai vice captain. He gently pulled Ryoma down for a heated kiss before releasing him.

"Don't wear yourself out before your practice, and don't forget your cell phone." Genichirou whispered as he settled back down.

Ryoma smiled slightly as he grabbed his hat and bag. Despite not knowing what kept them together or if it would last he knew one thing for sure. He wasn't giving them up any time soon. Ryoma had just put on his Regular's Jersey before crouching to give Karupin a goodbye pet. In doing so he didn't notice that his phone fell out of his pocket, having forgotten he'd taken it out of his bag the day before and keeping it in his jacket when he was expecting a call.

It was just after 5am when Ryoma left house heading for the street courts hoping someone with talent would show up so he could ask for a game to work off some of his restlessness. His wish came true in the form of his teammate Kaidoh about twenty minutes after he arrived.