花とみつばち [Hana to Mitsubachi] #5

Three young women take center stage on this cover of Moyoco Anno's Hana to Mitsubachi — a composed brunette flanked by a wide-eyed girl in a brown uniform and a sharper, knowing figure in a dark suit and tie, the trio radiating a mix of rivalry, curiosity, and attitude. A small, scowling cherub-like figure crouches at the bottom, adding an oddly comic charge to the otherwise stylish composition. Volume 5 of this Kōdansha series promises the same blend of sharp character dynamics and expressive shōjo artistry that has defined the run.