" 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 took a deep breath, still clutching Ash’s hand as she gazed out at the crowd, a playful yet serious glint in her eyes.

"Well," she continued, her voice steady despite her exhaustion, "this boy here isn’t just my hero today. He’s always been my hero."

The audience murmured in surprise, whispers rippling through the crowd. Ash’s face turned a deep shade of red, and he opened his mouth to protest, but Misty squeezed his hand tighter to keep him quiet.

"And," she added with a mischievous grin, "just so everyone knows, he’s also my boyfriend."

Ash’s eyes widened. "M-Misty! What are you—?"

Misty cut him off by leaning closer and whispering, "Ash Ketchum, if you try to deny it now, I will dunk you back into that pool myself."

The crowd erupted into applause, and Pikachu, still perched on Serena’s shoulder, let out a delighted "Pikaaaa!"

Serena, who had regained consciousness but was still dazed, blinked a few times before muttering, "Boyfriend...? Wait... what?"

Ash scratched the back of his head awkwardly, the cheers from the audience making him feel like he was in the spotlight of one of his gym battles. "Uh... I guess it’s official now, huh?" he said, looking at Misty with a sheepish smile.

Misty smirked. "You guess? Ash, I just told an entire audience that you’re my boyfriend. There’s no guessing involved."

Ash laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, I guess you're right."

The crowd continued clapping, some even whistling, as Misty leaned in closer to Ash and whispered, "You better take me to that clinic now, or I’m going to make another announcement about how you once mistook a Weedle for a Pikachu."

Ash gasped in mock horror. "You wouldn’t!"

Misty grinned. "Try me."

He rolled his eyes but couldn’t hide the grin tugging at his lips. "Alright, alright. Clinic it is. But after that, I’m treating you to the biggest sundae Cerulean City has to offer."

Misty beamed. "You’re finally learning, Ash Ketchum."

As the two walked off together, Ash holding Misty close to make sure she was steady, the audience watched with warm smiles, and Serena sighed from her seat. "Well, I guess I should’ve seen that coming," she muttered, crossing her arms as Pikachu hopped onto her lap.

"Pika!" Pikachu chirped happily, as if to say, It’s about time.