He stared into the sun, high in the sky, his trusty pal Pikachu on his shoulder. And with hope to reach his destination by nightfall, he set off, a determined look on his face.

How could I know what you meant

There was nothing to compare to

He had known he cared deeply about her. But he cared deeply about Pikachu! How was he supposed to know THAT was love?

There's a mountain between us

But there's one thing I'm sure of

That I know how I feel about you!

So he went to Hoenn. Then Sinnoh. And though he had lost touch with her, she still would pop into his mind. Why was she so confusing? No other girl had made him feel this before- so frustrated and longing at the same time!

Can we bring yesterday back around?

'Cause I know how I feel about you now.

But one day, he had just realized. Everything clicked- all those years of seeing Brock fawning over Nurse Joy, seeing May and Drew together, and the inexplicable feeling he got every time he saw her. He was in love with her, and after all those years of naivety, he was going to show her.

I was dumb

I was wrong

I let you down.

As he walked, he thought back to the last time he'd seen her and cringed. With Dawn and Brock off cooking, she had slipped off to sit by the river.

"Why did I even come back here," she was muttering. "Why torture myself?"

"Hey, Mist, you all right?"

"No, I'm not," she said bitterly, looking out into the trees. "How many hints do I have to give? Are you really that dense?"

"What?"

"What? What?" She turned around sharply, startling him. "I love you, that's what."

She kissed him softly, with none of her previous anger.

He was too shocked to respond, and sat there staring into space as she walked back to camp, angry at his lack of response.

He could have at least said something. But no. That night had haunted him for the last three months, and now he would fix it.

Not a day pass me by

Not a day pass me by

When I don't think about you.

She didn't care that he was off in Sinnoh. She didn't care that he hadn't seen her or talked to her since that night. She still couldn't stop thinking about him.

And there's no moving on

'Cause I know you're the one

And I can't be without you.

She knew she should move on. Plenty of cute guys came to her gym. But none had his tousled hair, his deep dark eyes, or his enormous heart.

All that it takes- one more chance

Don't let our last kiss

Be our last

I'm out of my mind

Just to show you.

He arrived at the gates of Cerulean City. Taking off his cap and running a hand through his jet-black hair, he sighed "Well, this is it, buddy."

But I know how I feel about you now!

He rang the doorbell anxiously. She peered out the window. No- it couldn't be. She opened the door and started "Ash, I-" He stopped her with a kiss. They broke apart and smiled at each other.

"I love you, Misty. I'm sorry I didn't realize sooner."

"I love you too Ash."

And with that she kissed him again, running her hands through his messy hair.

I know everything changes

I don't care where it takes us

'Cause I know how I feel about you!

He stayed for a week- a week full of smiles and hugs and kisses. And though he had his dream, plus a new region named Isshu to conquer, and she had her gym, it was ok.

'Cause I know how you feel about you now!