Roy did not bring up what happened to Mary around her. She apologized often for trashing the apartment, and it took them three days to clean it and reorganize everything. He took good care of her hand and kept it bandaged, cleaned, and wrapped up. Just to be on the safe side, as he came home from work one day, he bought her a bouquet of yellow roses, which she was especially grateful for; however, she seemed lost on the reason as to why he had bought them for her. It was as if she had no recollection of what she had done and the state she had been in at the time she wounded her hand and made a mess of their apartment. Roy thought it was best to let sleeping dogs lie, and he did not want to upset her. On the other hand, he did decide to talk to Garry about it. Three days after the event, he finally got to talk to Garry about what had happened; Ib stayed in Roy's apartment with Mary while Roy and Garry took a walk down the road.

"So, what is it that you wanted to talk to me about?" Garry asked.

"…Something happened the other night. To Mary."

Garry looked at Roy, concern in his eyes. "Is she okay? I noticed she's been sort of distant these past three days."

Roy exhaled, stopped walking, and rubbed the bridge of his nose. Garry stopped walking as well. "I don't know… Everything was fine, but she just snapped. I came home from work, and she had completely ransacked the place. She was holding a pair of scissors, open-bladed, so tightly that they cut into her hand. She was crying loudly and accusing me of stealing a yellow rose… even called me a bastard, Garry. But, she suddenly snapped out of it, and it's as if she had no memory of ever doing it."

When Roy looked at Garry, he was surprised to see utmost terror in his eyes. For Garry, it seemed as if time had frozen. He had left Ib alone with Mary; what if something happened? He wanted to run back to Roy's apartment, but he knew if anything was wrong, Ib would call him or run away. Despite his fear, he quickly caught himself and smiled at Roy.

"Has she had any more episodes?"

"No, but… why did you look so scared?" Roy asked.

"Huh?"

"You looked horrified. Why?"

Garry shook his head. "Don't worry about it."

Roy crossed his arms. "You can't tell me that, Garry. Not after looking so scared. Now, tell me, or I'll ask Ib."

Garry laughed heartily. "Ib wouldn't tell you, friend. She wants to forget it just as much as I do… But, I suppose if Mary's going to be staying with you, you should know." He inhaled and exhaled deeply, as if preparing himself for the memories that were to rush over him like waves on the beach. "Ten years ago…"

Roy listened intently as Garry explained to him about the events that occurred in Guertena's painting. It seemed so bizarre, but Roy had no choice but to believe him; Garry was easily trustworthy. Every word that came out of his mouth clung to Roy. There was no way Mary could be the same "Mary" they encountered inside the painting; yet, she had been angry over "losing" a yellow rose, which was what "Mary" had in the painting. When Garry finished the story, Roy staggered but leaned back on a tree for support. His legs suddenly felt very heavy, and the area seemed to spin around him. They had destroyed the painting, so there was no way their Mary could be the same one, and Garry apparently knew just what Roy was thinking.

"I'm not saying that she's the same Mary, but maybe... perhaps she's Guertena's daughter or granddaughter, and he made another painting with her in it. Somehow or another, it's manifested and has collection of what happened ten years ago."

Roy shook his head, somewhat frustrated by what Garry said. "How can that even be possible?"

Garry shrugged. "I'm not sure. It's a possibility that we cannot ignore." He looked at Roy, recognizing his distress. "If you want, I can take her off your hands. She can stay with me."

Roy leaned off the tree and stood upright. He looked over toward the apartment complex and smiled. "Nah, man, I'm all right. I can take care of her."

"You sure?"

"Yeah," Roy nodded as he looked at Garry, "it's no trouble at all."

"What if she loses it again? What then?"

"Then, I'll stop her. I'll be there for her."

Garry nodded and put his hand on Roy's shoulder. "You're a good person, Roy."

Roy smirked. "Yeah, I know."

They suddenly heard Ib and Mary call out to them. They looked back up at the apartment complex to see them walking toward them. That night, they went out to eat with Nora and Allen, and they all had a great time. They took a photo together with Ib's camera, which she would develop it once she got home. On the way home, Garry drove and Ib fell asleep in the passenger's side, leaning on the door. When they arrived at her house, Garry gently shook several times, but she did not wake up. He smiled to himself, got out and walked to the other side, where he opened the door and unbuckled Ib's seatbelt. Scooping up gently into his arms, he lifted her out of the seat and carried her into her house. Her parents met them at the door and smiled at Garry, who then walked to Ib's room and placed her in her bed, where she continued to sleep. As he began to exit the house, Ib's father stopped him.

"I need to talk to you, Garry." Garry's heart started to beat out of his chest. Those were the words no man ever wanted to hear a girl's father say. He thought over all the things he perhaps could have done to upset Ib's parents; Ib's father must have noticed Garry's apprehension and laughed to ease the tension away. "I'm not upset with you. Just going to point something out to you that my wife and I have noticed."

"Yes, sir?"

"Well, dear, you've been spending plenty of time with our daughter, and we think it's time you tell her how you feel," Ib's mother smiled.

"Come again?" Garry asked, stunned.

"I don't like admitting it since it has to do with my little girl, but I know love when I see it," Ib's father spoke. "You two have been friends for a very long time, and I understand if you're hesitant to tell her. I can assure you that your worries are for naught."

"She loves you, Garry," Ib's mother softly said.

Garry was at a loss for words. He was breathless for a brief moment before laughing warmly. "With all due respect, I feel as if this is something that Ib should tell me."

Ib's father smirked and pat Garry's back. "You're right, son. Our apologies for ganging up on you like this."

"There's nothing to be sorry for. You're just doing your job," Garry smiled. "I'll see you two later."

He decided not to tell Ib the conversation her parents had with him. He knew it would embarrass her greatly, and that perhaps she would become upset with them. Also, he decided to tell Ib about what Roy had discussed with him concerning Mary. Ib had a right to know considering what all she went through when they were in the painting together. It would distress her, no doubt, but she had to know. When he reached his apartment, he noticed that Nora and Allen were standing outside his room, waiting for him. He walked up to them, unsure on why they were there, for it was late and they had just seen each other.

"What's going on, you two?" he asked them. "Is everything all right?"

Nora sighed, and Allen put his arm around her shoulder. "We wanted to tell Ib, but we weren't sure how," she spoke.

"Tell her what?"

Nora's eyes filled with tears. "My parents were in a very bad car accident this evening," she spoke. "They both survived but are injured greatly. I have to go back home to take care of them… they don't have anyone else."

"Oh, Nora… I'm so sorry," Garry sympathized as he reached out and put a hand on her shoulder to comfort her.

"I'm going with her," Allen added.

"That's very noble of you, Allen," Garry nodded. "She needs you right now."

"I'm not sure if we'll come back or not. It depends on the severity of the issue," Nora continued. "We're leaving tomorrow morning."

"I understand," Garry said. "I'll tell Ib, Mary, and Roy. We'll come see you off."

Nora could not hold the tears back anymore, and they rolled down her cheeks. She latched her arms around Garry, her tears dampening his shirt. Garry hugged her back; he felt an immense amount of pain for her, but he knew that he could not take the ache away from Nora's heart. She released Garry and walked to Allen's car. Allen held out his hand, and Garry reciprocated and shook his hand.

"You've been a great friend, Garry," Allen smiled sadly. "We only wish we could have met you sooner."

"Likewise, friend," Garry agreed. He looked at Nora then back at Allen. "Take care of her, okay?"

Allen smiled again. "I promise."

At the airport the next morning, it was a tearful good-bye for Ib as she, along with Garry, Roy, and Mary, saw off Nora and Allen. Nora and Allen hugged Ib, tears rolling down Nora's face. Ib gave them a copy of the photo they had taken the night before, which made them happy to have for memory's sake. They then walked into the airport, and in moments, the friends watched as the airplane flew away into the morning sky. On the way back home, Ib did not divert his gaze from out the window; Garry knew she was still crying and that she did not want him to see her tears. With his right hand, he reached over and gently wrapped it around Ib's left hand and rubbed his thumb on the back of her hand. Ib felt somewhat comforted by this. She began to think about just how much Garry had been there for her. Even when they were complete strangers in the painting, he protected her with his life and made certain that she was all right. As the years passed, he was always the first one she went to for help and was the one who stuck by her no matter what happened. She looked at him, and it hit her just how handsome he was, not only on the outside but on the inside as well. Unable to hide her blushing, she looked back to the window. The car ride remained in silence.

Another month passed. Luckily, it had passed without another episode from Mary. Roy kept yellow roses in the house and replenished them the moment they began to wilt in order to prevent another episode from occurring. It was a good thing Mary loved the roses so much, and Roy did not mind having them in his apartment. At first, they did not hear from Allen and Nora, but finally, two weeks later, Ib got an email from them informing them that Nora's parents were on the long road to recovery. Ib had put the photo she had taken of all of them in a frame and placed it on her desk; Nora informed her that she had done the same with the copy she had.

One day, there was a festival in town. Garry took Ib to the festival; unfortunately, Mary and Roy had to work and missed it. At the festival, Garry and Ib walked around and played some games as well as ate "junk food", which Ib said was a must when it came to festivities. At one point, they passed by a band playing music. People were dancing and having a great time. Ib smiled, ran to where everyone was dancing, and began to dance as well.

"Come on!" she giggled, urging Garry to join her.

"Er, I don't dance," Garry shyly said, his cheeks red from chagrin.

"Don't be silly! Everyone can dance," Ib argued lightly.

"Everyone but me."

"Oh, poppycock! Dance with me!" She held out a hand to him. He looked around, exhaled, and took her hand. It took a couple of dances, but eventually, Garry learned and danced as well as anyone else. Just the smile on Ib's face brought undeniable pleasure to Garry, and he realized something at that moment. He was unsure on what to do about it, but he decided to think about it later and just enjoy the time with Ib. Before they realized it, they danced the night away at the festival.

As they were heading back to Ib's house, Garry chose to drive out to the river instead. The sky was clear, and the moon and stars shone brightly in the sky. The water glistened with the moon's light. They got out of the car and walked to the shore, where they next took off their shoes and socks and walked in the water. Ib looked at Garry, who was looking out at the river.

"So, why are we here, Garry?"

"Hmm? Well, it's a beautiful night out. I just thought we should stop here for a minute."

Ib smiled and looked out at the river as well. "Thank you. This place holds many dear memories to me, you know. Also, this is where we got Nora and Allen together, and where we met Roy."

"This is a dear place to me as well," Garry said. He then inhaled and exhaled deeply; his heart nearly beat out of his chest due to his nervousness. "I… have a confession to make."

Ib looked at Garry, a smirk on her face and an eyebrow raised. "Oh? Sounds juicy. Tell me!"

Garry turned and looked at her, his eyes full of anxiety. "You sure? It could change everything."

Ib giggled. "Now you have to tell me! This sounds intense!"

He had to tell her now. He could not ignore it any longer. Her parents were right; it had been so for a while. "I love you."

As expected, Ib appeared to be shocked. Her mouth was agape and her eyes were wide. "Wh-what?"

She sounded utterly baffled at his declaration. Garry prepared himself for rejection, but he had to explain it to her, even if it ended up in heartache. "I have been for quite some time, Ib. I've tried hiding it, but I'm not going to anymore. If you could find it in your heart to be with someone like me, I would be the happiest man in the world." Ib was still stunned and unable to speak. "You don't have to answer me right away. I'll give you all the time in the world."

Finally, she swallowed and took a breath. "I don't have to answer right away?" Garry nodded. "Okay. Well, I want to answer now." She smiled widely. "I'm so happy you finally told me, Garry. I've been in love with you for a very long time."

He had built a wall for rejection, but he was not prepared for her to say that she loved him as well. It felt like he had been hit by a brick wall, but it was the best feeling he had ever had. "You mean it?"

"Of course!" Ib giggled. "I love you, Garry. I'll gladly be by your side."

Unable to contain himself, he reached out and hugged her. She leaned her head on his chest and hugged him back. "Thank you, Ib… I'll do my best to make you happy."

Ib smiled and closed her eyes, allowing this moment to sink in. It seemed so unreal, and she expected at any moment to wake up in her bed. Even if that were to happen, she wanted this moment to last. They stood in each other's embrace, wordlessly communicating their love for each other. In the distance, frogs were heard singing their songs.