Disclaimer: The author does not own the characters in School Rumble.

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She looked to him unexpectedly. He could see that she was torn between two sides. His memory jogged back to an earlier conversation he had with the old man.

"Son, you look like you're having women problems," an elderly customer blankly commented to Asou while he was preparing to take the elder's orders.

"What would you like to order?" Asou asked, ignoring the old man's nosy comment. He was used to serving meddlesome elder folks especially this one. The old man would always attempt to chime in his unwanted advices whenever he dined in the restaurant.

As if two could play the game, the old man continued, "Women are like birds. If you let her go, she might return in springtime but if you keep her caged, she'll be gone the next morning."

Those words were engraved into his memory. Once awhile, the old man did make a good sense. He glanced over to the ambulance. It was the only right thing to do.

"Souo, go with him. He needs you right now," the young man finally said, without looking at her.

It took a moment before she registered his words. He heard her soft whisper of 'thank you' before she hurried towards the ambulance.

The siren blared into the night as it left. Gaining a little more courage, Asou turned to watch the disappearing ambulance.

The commotion died down eventually. The students began to return to their respective classes, sharing excitedly their versions of the battle.

Even his classmates began to retreat to their class. Unlike the rest, the 2-C students were unusually solemn. Their fallen comrades were a family to them and it was painful to witness their injury.

Before joining the rest, Asou gazed to the sky. Out in the open air, away from the fuss of the city, there was a single crow. It looked peaceful in its flight.

It was the only right thing to do.

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Author says: Sometimes, things are better left for the imaginations.