砂時計 [Sunadokei] [Sand Chronicles] #1

Hinako Ashihara's Sunadokei (Sand Chronicles) opens its first volume with a sun-warmed, summery cover: a shirtless young man in a backward cap crouches by a rocky stream, splashing water playfully toward a laughing girl perched on a stone beside him, a cheerful red bucket nearby. The scene captures a natural, easy chemistry between the two figures — lively and intimate without being dramatic. Published under Shogakukan's Flower Comics (Betsucomi) imprint, this is a fine starting point for readers drawn to grounded, emotionally resonant shōjo manga.