This collection of short stories links the stories and characters in Please, Hydra, Lovers and Souls and Rules. 
In (1,2) Kiss and Kiss After, Ryuu has arrived in Tokyo and is about to become a third year high school student, however it's time to change schools again. Before he leaves, his friend Sekai confesses to him. Follows Chapter 5 of Please (A Bird at Sea, a Door in the Sky). 
(3) Skies (Hydra chapter 0.5): Our first glimpse of Hikaru (from Rules) in high school, after Ryuu's arrived in Tokyo, and has transferred to his and Hitomi's school. The connection between Hikaru Taira and Yuuji Itou. Continues in Hydra. 
(4) Heavenly (comes between Hydra Ch. 6 and 7) More with Hikaru, Ryuu, and Hitomi. Hikaru reflects on his current situation with Hitomi while remembering their first meeting. (Liquid Passion) 
(5) Real Thing: Hikaru centered, it links Hydra with Lovers and Souls. 
(6) Fragile: Tooru centered, it links Lovers and Souls with Rules. Also involves Shige and Ryoichi (from Please). 
(See Rules Synopsis for more information on Rules series timeline. See also Hydra.)

Sakura picks Ryouichi up at a brothel and their one night transaction soon turns into more of a rent-boy relationship. Can these two damaged people figure out that their true feelings run much deeper than any monetary based transaction? 
In Chapter 5, (A Bird at Sea, A Door in the Sky) Ryuu is a sad but tough kid from Osaka who is trying to overcome his past. When an American, Stefan, takes an interest in him, will it lead to more than just friendship? Ryuu's story is continued in the Kiss DJ. (This is part of the Rules series. A complete Rules series timeline can be found in the Synopsis for Rules.)

When Ryuu transfers to Hitomi's school, he leaves an immediate impression on him. Curious about rumours of a full-scale tattoo on Ryuu's back, Hitomi starts getting closer to him. Before long, the friendship and fascination Hitomi feels for Ryuu start developing into more, but before he has a chance to come to terms with his feelings, Hikaru appears on the scene.... and he has his eyes set on Hitomi.

The complete edition of Lovers, Souls, published in 2007 by Oozora Shuppan, which includes Vanity and Sleeping Beauty 
 
Contents: 
1) Lovers and Souls 
Tooru Shinomiya is a young college student who models for photography students. After sleeping with one of his clients for money, he becomes a gay prostitute because he doesn't care enough about his body. However, he's starting to fall for his sempai, the man with whom he first slept. Can this student, Satoshi Matsouka, save him? This tragic story also involves Hikaru Taira. Also, Tooru and Atori meet. Prequel to Rules 01. 
2) Vanity 
After the events of Lovers and Souls, Tooru is still deeply heartbroken. Trying to find solace in Hikaru, Tooru challenges the terms of their friendship. But can he handle the consequences? 
Originally a doujinshi, part of Rules series. 
3) Sleeping Beauty - Matsuoka sees Tooru for the first time. 
4) Eternal Moon - In their last year of high school, Akihiko Nozaki admits to his best friend Kai that he's gay. Kai is stunned but it doesn't change their friendship, but Kai's curiosity is aroused and he begins to see Noza (Nozaki) differently. 
5) Tomorrow's Sky - Sequel to Eternal Moon, told more from Nozaki's point of view. Nozaki isn't sure whether to trust that his relationship with Kai will last, since he's even been dumped by gay men before. What's to keep a guy who wasn't even gay from breaking up with him?

Konoe, a high school student, is confused about his sexuality. He meets Hikaru in the sleazy gay district, and sleeps with him. They begin to play at being lovers, but Konoe's heart belongs to Atori, his friend and classmate. Can Konoe come to terms with his sexuality and reveal his feelings to Atori, and where do Hikaru's true feelings lie?

Tags