Aelita's eyes opened when she felt herself get tugged away from the edge she was against, and she released her grip on the concrete, allowing Odd to tow her out a little ways, and then watching as he turned around and got a hold of her other hand, keeping himself afloat with thrusts of his legs.

"...Wanna try something?"

Her eyebrow rose from the vague question.

"Depends."

"Here..." He released her hand and plugged his nose. "Do this."

Making the same motion, he relaxed his legs, and started to sink, and she inhaled, allowing herself to submerge under the surface. Eyes flicking open, part of her breath escaped in a series of bubbles as he gently surrounded her in a hug, only to be caught by complete surprise as their lips touched together underwater.

Oh. That's...

Releasing the remainder of her breath as they parted, both of them rose to the surface. After catching breath again, their eyes met, cheeks burned bashfully, and she turned away.

...So that happened.

Peeking back towards him, she exhaled from his passive smile, emotions laden with mirth and mystery.

"Hey, Odd!"

Watching his attention turn, she looked over her shoulder towards the voice that called him, and watched as a familiar brunette swam towards them, drawing to a halt a few feet in front of them both.

"Ulrich."

Watching a humored look appear on his friend's face, Odd's skin crawled with an uneasy feeling as his waves washed up against him.

"Am I seeing things, or am I just dreaming still."

"You tell me."

Ulrich's smile faded.

"I just saw you two underwater. Kissing."

Aelita's chest tightened, and Odd's chin rose slightly, eying his friend calmly.

"...And?"

Ulrich's mouth moved from the short response.

"Okay. Since when did this start happening?"

"Today, apparently."

Alright, smartass.

Moving over to the wall next to Odd, he relaxed himself.

"So, what, did you two just decide to cut Jeremy out of the picture and give each other a go?"

"Sure Ulrich. Go ahead and put it that way."

Both boys looked at Aelita from her sarcasm.

"Its not like I've coasted through four years of being bored silly or something."

"Well you sure never bothered to say much about it."

"To you."

He nodded.

"Nice, I see. You think I'll just tell the world about our secrets and problems?"

Her eyes sank.

"No, I just wasn't sure. I'm sorry."

Their eyes stared at the rippling water for a few quiet moments.

"So, Odd. I'm guessing you initiated this."

"Yeah."

"You think this is a good idea?"

"Sure hope so. I'm tired of being in the shadows when she needs help, and I want to be the one that supports her through everything from now on."

Odd's face softened as further words formed in his mind.

"...Maybe I'm not an expert with relationships, but at least I know how to cheer someone up when they need it."

Ulrich shut his eyes for a moment.

"Obviously Jeremy has no idea of this, I can already tell. Do you two have any idea what kind of a mess this is going to make?"

"No." Odd sighed.

How did I know you were going to say that...

They both turned and watched as Aelita's head sank.

"I love her. She's more than just my friend... But I didn't say so until recently."

The brunette shook his head, and took a breath, pushing himself away from the wall and swimming a short distance away.

"I hope you two know what you're getting into."

Disappearing underwater and swimming away towards the shallow end of the pool, they watched his silhouette drift away, and a sigh left Odd's lungs.

"Odd."

Looking to her from her whisper, his heart sank.

"Yeah?"

"...Can we get out of the water?"

"Sure we can, Princess."

Turning around and hoisting himself out, he knelt down and helped her up with his outstretched arm until she was on her feet.

With a trade of silent expressions, they walked side by side around the perimeter of the deep end, staying quiet until they reached the bleachers. Odd then scooped up both of their towels, nodding towards the back row at the top.

"Up there."

Moving in tandem up the steps, she sat down next to Odd, but a few seconds later, scooted up against him.

"I'm sorry... This didn't turn out like I wanted it to." He whispered, wrapping her towel around her as she shut her eyes.

"Its alright."

Holding onto it and concealing herself inside, her eyes peeked above the cloth, locks of her red hair dripping. Surrounded himself in his own towel, Odd then noticed she was shivering slightly.

"Here..."

Moving over behind and hugging her snugly, his head gently rested upon her shoulder, his towel keeping him warm, and his hug keeping her warm.

"Aelita."

She turned her head slightly.

"Ulrich isn't mad at us, he's... Probably just surprised."

"I know."

"He might be a grouch, but he's still our friend."

"Yeah."

Hugging her even tighter, he touched her cheek with his nose, and a hint of a blush crept across her cheeks. After a moment, she leaned back against him, which caused him to recline against the wall behind. Her hands then grasped both of his, and Odd smiled, squeezing them in response.

That's better.

Ulrich approached Yumi as she floated around in the shallow end of the pool, grateful to see she was alone for once.

"Yumi."

"Hey." She smiled at the brunette as he drifted over next to her through the water.

"Hi, uh..."

She raised her eyebrow as he drifted off.

"Have you ever noticed any difficulty between Aelita and Jeremy?"

She paused.

"Yeah. Haven't you?"

Ulrich blinked.

"No. Maybe I try not to notice these things."

"Well..." Yumi touched her finger to her chin. "Every now and then Aelita has talked to me. She tends to bring up things that confuse and frustrate her."

"Jeremy?"

"Yep."

"Odd?"

"Him too."

She then furrowed her eyebrows at Ulrich.

"Why are you asking me all this?"

He sighed.

"Did you have any idea Odd and Aelita are dating?"

Her eyebrows nearly rose off her face.

"...They are?"

"Yeah. Aelita apparently has had enough of Jeremy, and Odd's somehow swept her into his arms. They just started from the looks of it."

Yumi eyed Ulrich.

"I know Odd's always been there for her... But I did not see this coming."

He turned around and looked for them momentarily, having no idea they were both high up on the bleachers.

"I bet you can guess who has no idea of this."

"Jeremy."

Ulrich turned around, and met Yumi eye to eye.

"You sure Aelita never told you anything about this? She never spoke to me about it."

She sighed.

"Not directly. Her feelings were always mixed up whenever she'd ask for my opinion."

"Well she clearly decided Odd was who she really wanted."

Yumi narrowed her eyes at him.

"Aelita is allowed to choose who she wants to be with, you know."

"Sure she is, but... Odd?"

"Like I said, he's always been there for her. She sees him differently than we do."

A moment of silence began as they both kept themselves afloat, thinking about the situation.

"Why don't you go talk to her, Ulrich. You'd probably get a better understanding if you heard what she has to say."

"Yeah."

He looked back, and both of their eyes fell upon Odd and Aelita, just as they separated back into the changing rooms.

"Maybe later though."