So sorry for the extremely late update! I had extreme writer's block for this ff, and I was too high on passing my Mathematics for once that I entirely devoted myself to studying Maths for one whole week.

So now, here's chapter 4! Enjoy, people!

"Did you forget anything, Ib?"

"Now that I think about it, I haven't seen your handkerchief in a while... You know, the one you got for your birthday."

'This is bad... What do I say...?'

Ib didn't want to lie to her parents, but she didn't want to tell them that she lent her brand new handkerchief to someone she just met. They would scream at her for lending such an expensive, and laced handkerchief to a complete stranger. Although, Garry wasn't exactly a stranger. As her parents looked at her with curious eyes, the little brunette tried to think of something to say.

"Um... I-I lent it to a friend at school...b-because he accidentally cut himself..."

Well, that was a half truth and a half lie I suppose.

"I see. How did he cut himself?"

"Eh? Um... there was a broken window... and some glass cut his hand..."

"A broken window?! Is it fixed now?"

"Yes... It's fixed now."

"Must be those unruly boys playing soccer in the corridors again. How awful! It's fine if it doesn't injure anyone, but it did! Sigh... Well then, shall we go now, Ib?"

"Yes, mother."

Ib's family was headed to the Guertena Art Exhibition in town that week. The venue was the same place as the last time, but they had renovated recently and was now larger, and was able to put more art pieces on show.

More art pieces...

Would Mary be there...?

"'The Geometric Fish', 'Marvelous Night, 'Clown'... They all seem rather interesting, don't you think Ib? Ib? Are you listening, Ib?"

"Y-Yes, mother..."

"Are you alright, Ib? You seem to be spacing out a lot today."

"No, I'm fine."

Garry was headed to the exact same Guertena art exhibition Ib and her family was, but of course, didn't know that.

In his way there, he passed by a flower shop and noticed a new rose colour on sale.

"A yellow rose..."

"Yes! Our shop managed to acquire a batch recently! They're really popular among..."

Garry didn't really pay attention to the florist, and continued to stare at the yellow rose.

Its yellow petals, its green stalk and the blue ribbon tying the bunch together vividly reminded him of Mary.

"...sir? Sir?"

"Eh?"

"Are you listening, sir?"

"Oh...um...I'm sorry..."

Garry gave an apologetic look and continued heading to the gallery.

Though it was Garry knew that he had to burn Mary in that situation, he still felt guilty about it. After all, she was just a lonely girl stuck in that cold art gallery...

Suddenly, he saw a familiar green dress pass on the opposite road.

And without thinking, Garry was about to dash across the road when a car zoomed right past in front of him. And almost immediately, she was gone.

"...I must be going crazy...maybe I shouldn't go to this art exhibition after all...But then... Ib might be there...~"

And with that, a slight smile appeared on Garry's face as he headed towards the art exhibition that he probably was not so wholeheartedly looking forward to.