" Go Misty!" Ash yelled as he gave a thumbs up to his girlfriend, and she smiled and waved back nervously.

" Don't worry, it's okay Ash.... Ash who I haven't seen in, like forever... With another girl.... Seeing my underwater performance...." Misty muttered.

But suddenly she slipped her mermaid tail making everything slippery. With a thunk, she hit the diving board and blacked out

Everyone gasped, and Ash grabbed the railing. " Misty!"

He turned to Serena and shoved Pikachu into her arms. " Hold Pikachu."

" Huh?" Serena asked, confused. " Where are you-"

But Ash was already too far to notice.

A security guy, who was ordering people around, saw Ash running their way and held a hand up. " I'm sorry, but this is ristric-"

Ash shoved the guy out of his way. " Excuse me!"

" ... Ted area."

Ash turned his cap backwards. " Hold on, Misty!"

Then he dove in.

Meanwhile, Misty was sinking, not even knowing she was sinking. She was in the verge of losing air when someone grabbed her hand.

Ash.

He pulled her hand towards his body and grabbed her waist, pulling her to his body and swimming back up.

There, a medic helped Ash get Misty out of the pool. He coughed and gasped for air, looking at Misty as the medic felt her pulse.

Nothing.

Ash pulled his body onto land. " Misty?!"

The medic looked at him. " Go on that side." He ordered

Ash obeyed.

" Okay,. let's walk you through this. Tilt her head back. Immediately after I stop pumping, you breathe!"

Ash blinked as the medic did CPR on her chest.

Everyone watched.

" BREATHE!" the medic yelled

Ash took a deep breath and put his lips over hers, just like he had done so many more times before.

Serena watched. " Eh....?"

Then she fainted.

Meanwhile, the medic held a hand up. " Okay, let's try that again."

" A.. again.... In front of all these people....?"

Then he looked at hks girlfriend and nodded. " Okay."

They did it again.

Nothing.

Ash looked at Misty with tears in his eyes, hands clenched on knees. " Misty...."

Then Misty shot up, coughing the water out.

" Misty!!"

Misty didn't even have time to react before Ash grabbed her body and pulled her in tightly. Misty blinked and side hugged back, smiling at the concerned medic

" You should know he touched your lips." The medic whispered.

Misty didn't even flinch. " Oh, that's fine."

Ash blinked tears and turned Misty's face so she could face him. " Don't you dare do that again!"

Misty gave Ash a weak smile. " Oh, Ash. I'm fine."

Ash shook his head. " No, you're not. As soon as all these people are gone I'm taking you to the clinic."

" Bu-"

Ash put a finger on his lips. " Shush. You're not going to argue."

Misty blinked sheepishly. _ what about that girl?"

" Oh, you mean Serena?"

" Yeah. Don't you like her now?"

Ash grabbed Misty's hands. " Misty, I always loved you. Always have, always will. Isn't that what I told you before I left for Kalos?"

Misty smiled. " Yes, I suppose it is."

She turned to the audience and waved a hand. " Everyone, I have an announcement!"

Everyone turned silent.

" See this amazing boy next to me? The one who saved my life?"

Misty smiled, her cheeks still pale from the ordeal but brightened by her warmth and confidence. She looked at Ash, who was still clutching her hands tightly, his eyes wide with confusion.

"This boy right here," she began, her voice echoing across the pool area. "This is the boy I've loved since the first time he walked into my life. And today, he proved again why he's the most amazing person I know."

The crowd erupted into murmurs, a mix of surprise, adoration, and curiosity. Ash's face turned as red as a Poké Ball. "M-Misty!" he stammered, tugging her hand gently. "What are you—"

Misty ignored his protest, her gaze focused entirely on him. "Ash Ketchum," she said, her voice steady despite the blush creeping across her face. "You’ve always been my hero. You never give up on me, no matter what. And honestly?" She paused and smiled. "You’re my partner, in every way."

The audience clapped, a few cheers rising from the crowd. Pikachu, still in Serena's arms, let out a cheerful, "Pikapi!"

Ash blinked, looking at Misty as if seeing her for the first time. His lips parted, but no words came out.

Misty raised an eyebrow. "Well? Aren't you going to say something?"

Ash swallowed hard, then grinned sheepishly. "Uh... You're welcome?"

The crowd burst into laughter, and Misty sighed, rolling her eyes with a smile. "Typical Ash."

Then, to everyone's surprise—including Ash's—she leaned forward and kissed his cheek.

The crowd went wild.

Ash froze, his face heating up again as Misty pulled back, a playful smirk on her lips. "That's for saving me. But next time, try not to embarrass me so much in front of an audience, okay?"

Ash chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his head. "Uh, I'll... try?"

Serena, who had regained consciousness just in time to witness the scene, sighed and handed Pikachu back to Ash. "Well, I guess that's that," she muttered to herself, a bittersweet smile on her face.

The crowd began to disperse, leaving Ash and Misty standing by the poolside. The medic gave them a knowing smile. "She's fine, but keep an eye on her for the next 24 hours."

Ash nodded, his grip on Misty's hand tightening. "Don't worry. I'm not letting her out of my sight."

Misty squeezed his hand back and leaned against him. "Good," she said softly. "Because I don’t plan on going anywhere without you, either."

And with that, the two of them walked out of the gym, hand in hand, ready to face whatever adventure lay ahead—together.

" Here's some strawberry flavored jelly, Ash. Make sure you chew, Misty."

Misty, who was now sitting in her fuzzy Starmie nightsuit in Ash's house on his couch wrapped in a blanket and hugging a plush Goldeen, nodded. " Yes, Mrs. Ketchum."

Ash took the bowl gratefully. " Thanks mom."

He scooped a spoon and held it out to Misty. " Open up."

Misty blinked, her cheeks flushing slightly as she glanced at the spoonful of strawberry-flavored jelly Ash was holding out. "Ash, I can feed myself, you know," she muttered, pulling the blanket tighter around her.

Ash raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really? Because last time you tried, you spilled soup all over yourself."

Misty pouted. "That was one time."

Delia chuckled softly from the kitchen. "Now, now, Misty. Let Ash take care of you. He’s been fussing about you since you got here."

Misty glanced at Ash, who looked entirely unbothered by his mother’s comment. Instead, he was still holding out the spoon, his expression calm but firm.

"Come on, Mist," he said. "You just got out of a near-death experience. Humor me."

Misty sighed, her resistance crumbling under his earnest gaze. "Fine," she grumbled, leaning forward and taking the bite. The sweet, fruity flavor made her smile despite herself. "Happy?"

Ash grinned. "Very."

Pikachu, lounging on the armrest, let out a cheerful "Pika!" in agreement.

Misty leaned back against the couch, hugging her Goldeen plush tighter. "You’re acting like I’m an invalid or something," she said, though her tone was more teasing than annoyed.

Ash shrugged, scooping up another spoonful. "Hey, it’s not every day I get to see you like this. You’re always so tough and independent. Let me have this."

Misty rolled her eyes but opened her mouth again, letting him feed her. "You’re impossible, Ash Ketchum," she said after swallowing.

He smirked. "And you’re stubborn, Misty Waterflower."

Delia poked her head out of the kitchen, a tray of tea in her hands. "You two bicker like an old married couple."

Both Ash and Misty turned bright red. "M-Mom!" Ash stammered, nearly dropping the spoon.

Misty pulled the blanket over her head. "I’m too weak to respond to that," she mumbled, her voice muffled.

Delia just laughed, setting the tea on the table. "Well, it’s true. Now drink up, Misty. Tea always helps after a rough day."

Ash passed her a cup, their fingers brushing slightly as she took it. Misty pretended not to notice, focusing instead on the steam rising from the tea.

"Thanks," she said softly.

"Anytime," Ash replied, sitting down next to her.

For a moment, they just sat there in comfortable silence, the warmth of the tea and each other’s company making everything feel a little bit better.