" 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?"

" Ma'am!" The security guy yelled. " That boy is trespassing!"

Misty smiled at the man. " Billy, this is my boyfriend."

The crowd fell silent, and Ash froze. He turned his head slowly to Misty, his cheeks going red. "Misty...?"

Misty smiled at him warmly, her eyes filled with affection. "Ash... you saved my life, just like you've always been there for me. No one else could do that for me. You're the one I trust the most."

Ash blinked, his heart racing as she spoke. He could feel the weight of her words, and it made everything seem more real than ever before.

Billy, the security guard, looked flustered but then caught sight of Misty's sincere smile and nodded. "Oh. Well, if that's the case..." He paused, still a bit confused but choosing to let it go. "Carry on, then."

Misty turned back to Ash and grabbed his hand. "Don't you dare try to hide it, Ash. The whole world already knows what you did for me."

Ash looked at her, his voice soft but filled with sincerity. "Misty, I’ve always loved you. And I'll always be here for you, no matter what."

Misty grinned and squeezed his hand. "I know, Ash. I know."

The crowd that had gathered around them, watching the dramatic moment unfold, slowly started to applaud. People began to cheer, some clapping and others giving supportive shouts, recognizing the bond between Ash and Misty.

Ash, still a bit stunned by the sudden declaration, finally managed a smile. "I guess this isn't the usual way I wanted to make an entrance."

Misty laughed, looking at him fondly. "Well, Ash, you always know how to make an impression."

As the applause died down, Misty turned to the medic who had helped her and gave a grateful nod. "Thank you for saving me."

The medic smiled, a little awkwardly. "No problem. But I think we’re all good now, right? No more fainting in pools, please."

Misty chuckled weakly and stood up, still a bit wobbly from the scare. Ash quickly moved to support her, his hand gently resting on her back.

"Alright," Ash said softly. "Let’s get you checked out, like I promised."

Misty looked up at him, her smile softening. "You really are stubborn when it comes to taking care of me."

Ash grinned, his tone teasing. "You should be grateful. After all, I’m just doing what any boyfriend would do."

Misty’s eyes twinkled, and for a moment, it was just the two of them standing there, their faces close, the world around them fading away.

Then, the sound of a faint cough broke the silence. Serena had regained consciousness, sitting up on the grass nearby, her cheeks flushed and her expression a mixture of confusion and concern. "What just happened...?" she asked, still dazed.

Misty turned her head and winked at Ash. "Looks like you’ve got some explaining to do, Ash."

Ash scratched his head awkwardly. "Uh... well, it's kind of a long story, Serena."

Serena smiled weakly, then looked at the two of them, finally putting the pieces together. "So... are you two, like, a thing now?"

Misty laughed and nodded. "Yep, we've been a thing for a while, but Ash was too clueless to realize it until now."

Ash groaned, his face turning even redder. "Misty, you’re making this worse!"

Serena chuckled. "Don’t worry, Ash. It’s kind of obvious to everyone else."

Misty grinned mischievously at Serena. "Oh, don’t worry. He’s got a lot to learn."

As the crowd slowly began to disperse, Ash and Misty shared a quiet moment together. Despite the chaos, the worry, and the unexpected drama, everything felt right in that moment—because they were finally, unmistakably, together.