Hana to Rakurai or Flower and Thunderbolt is as simple as it may looks an incredible heartful delicate and warm story. Firstly I dont believe any of the sinopses around there really expresses the essence of this manga. So I will kind of write it down here. The manga starts with the clumsy Umiho and her even more clumsy love for a classmate. Crazy as she always is our other main character Yachiyo surges claiming to be from the promisekeeping club and hoping to help Umiho to confess. Since the first chapter we already have a lot of growth and beautiful scenes with these two becaming a bit closer and closer. Umihos conclusion about being happy just because she loved someone great is really cute but as I already said what really shines here is the friendship between the two. As the story keep going Umiho too becomes someone who helps others and her troubles to be able to help the transfer student who at first looks like some shoujo jerk but its just someone with real social problems while unnoticedly falls in love its kind of gratifying. The second volume and second part of the manga follows the little left aside so far Yachiyo her own problems and the reason why she is someone so upfront and so determined to help others. To me this is the highlight of the manga when it shows its real emotional charge and its value. Her backstory is the definition of bittersweetness and the conclusion to her own love story is beautifully made as the manga wraps all of its characters lovely and nicely. More than a love story Hana to Rakurai its yes a love story but it express love in so many ways My favorite one is without a doubt the love between Umiho and Yachiyo the two main girls. Nope this is not a girls love story their love is a friendship one more like sisters. Their bond got really strong and so beautiful even if theres only 8 chapters. Its so enderly build and executed since their meting how they helped each other how they became better people and how destined to one another these two lovely girls are. And of course the lovelove stories The two main couples even if they may not have the happiest end are like the whole manga sweet fun and a bit painful but really well made. So if you really like love stories this is for you if you dont like them at all try this Its not a dumb story about first love its a story of slowly being a better version of yourself learning with mistakes and with other people.