I picked up this one-shot manga at The Comic Store today. It contains three stand-alone stories:

"Aquarium" features a girl who's miserable because she didn't get into her preferred school. (At first she fusses about the school uniform she wanted, but it turns out the boy she had a crush on went to that school and she wanted to follow him.) She spends a lot of time at the aquarium daydreaming and feeling sorry for herself - and then one day a boy speaks to her, and she finds herself with more attention than she wants. There are some charming little tentative-meeting notes here, but the story turns dark when her depression overwhelms her; luckily, her new friend is at hand...

"The Flying Stewardess" is just what it sounds like, though as it focuses on stewardesses trying to hook up with the pilots or the passengers, it feels quite old-fashioned. It does have some nice twists, especially the heroine's delight in her job, over and above any potential romantic opportunities.

"The Heart is Your Kingdom" deals with a girl who believes that her other half is out there somewhere, the perfect soul mate - and she thinks she knows who he is. But when she sees him accepting gifts from another girl, she has to wonder... A gentle little story about first loves and the awkwardness they can create.

I left this book in Forest Park at mid-afternoon, on a bench in the rose garden. Hope the finder enjoys it!

*** Released as part of the 2013 September Sapphire release challenge, for "aqua" in the title, and for the blue cover. ***