Clair responds with, "Well, I don't know his answer, but I always had a crush on him." Aquatina shifted her position but also leaned closer eager about Asukem and Clair's story, but asked, "Really?"

Clair nodded in acknowledgment but continued to respond to Kittienia's inquiry, stating, "I think the moment I first fell for Asukem was during a difficult time in my past." Kittienia and Aquatina leaned in closer, eager to hear the tale and learn about Asukem's younger days. Their eyes widened, and their mouths slightly parted as they focused intently on Clair. Noticing the enthusiasm in their expressions, Clair chuckled softly and shook her head. Meanwhile, Kwitwaka, the panther, lounged by the riverbank. Clair turned her attention to Kwitwaka and teased, "Oh, do you want to hear about us too, dear panther?" Kwitwaka lifted her head and tilted it, responding with a roar. Kittienia, brimming with excitement, smiled and exclaimed, "See, even Kwitwaka is curious!" Kittienia then burst into giggles, and Clair soon joined in the laughter.

Clair began her tale by stating, "As you all know, Asukem and I were raised in the same orphanage, correct?" Kittienia and Aquatina both nodded, paying close attention to Clair. She went on to explain that a storm was approaching, and it was during this time that she truly realized her deep feelings for him.

The sky was engulfed in deep black clouds, and a thick fog rolled in simultaneously, enveloping the ground in a dazzling white mist while a chilling breeze swept through the area, intensifying the cold. Clair and Isabella were making their way home, hoping to beat the impending storm, but it was already too late; the Great Divines unleashed their fury, sending bolts of lightning crackling across the sky, which startled Isabella. Clinging tightly to Clair, Isabella's fear manifested in tears as she cried out, "I want Big Brother Asu-Asu!" Clair, filled with concern, offered a reassuring smile and replied, "Alright, but we need to hurry home." 

Although Isabella was reluctant to rush back, as she cherished the time spent with her sister, she eventually agreed with a soft, "Okay." Noticing Isabella's pout, Clair knelt down and affectionately rubbed her head, asking, "Do you enjoy sister time, Izzie?" Isabella nodded, sniffling slightly. With a warm smile, Clair encouraged her, saying, "Let’s not worry about the thunder and lightning; the Great Divines are just being meanies and testing our bravery."

Isabella gasped sharply and fixed her gaze on the raging storm above, clenching her fists and shouting defiantly at the Great Divines, "You're nothing but bullies! Just wait until my older brother finds out! He'll teach you a lesson!" Clair chuckled at Isabella's outburst and remarked, "Indeed, once Asukem catches wind of their mischief, they'll be quaking in fear."

Out of the darkness emerged two men clad in ominous black clothing, their slow approach behind Clair and Isabella marked by an unsettling tension. They overheard Isabella's bold declaration and one of them sneered, "Those are brave words, little one," his voice dripping with malice, signaling their intent to instigate trouble. Clair instinctively tightened her grip around Isabella, her protective instincts kicking in as she demanded, "What do you want?" The men exchanged glances and erupted into laughter, further heightening the sense of danger. Turning to Isabella, Clair's expression shifted to one of urgency and concern as she instructed, "Izzie, listen to me. You need to run, run as fast as you can. Big sis Clair will hold them off; go find big brother Asu-asu!" Fear washed over Isabella's face at the thought of leaving Clair, and she shook her head, reluctant to part ways. "But..." she started, only to be met with Clair's intense gaze. "Izzie! Please! Just go! Do it for me!"

Isabella fought back her tears, steeling herself with determination as she launched into a full sprint toward the orphanage. She ran with an urgency she had never experienced before, her mind racing with the fear that Clair might be in peril. Her eyes brimmed with anxiety, her breaths came in heavy gasps, and her heart raced fiercely for Clair's safety. As the rain began to pour, soaking her to the skin and masking the tears streaming down her cheeks, Isabella pressed on, undeterred by the downpour. She was driven by the conviction that she alone could reach the one person capable of confronting the menacing figures threatening Clair.

As Isabella hurriedly sought assistance, Clair was in pursuit of the two men, but her chase was abruptly halted when they cornered her in a shadowy alley. Even though Clair found herself trapped, Isabella burst through the door of the orphanage, causing rain and wind to rush inside. Bob, the orphanage's foster father, shouted at Isabella, demanding, "Shut that damn door, Brat!" In an unexpected turn, Isabella retorted to her foster father, which alarmed him since he had never witnessed her speak back before. As Bob approached her, he noticed her drenched state and the fierce determination in her eyes, realizing that something was amiss. In a moment of desperation, Isabella cried out at the top of her lungs, "Big brother Asu-Asu! Help Me!"

In an instant, the children at the orphanage surged toward Isabella, eager to understand the cause of her distressing scream. At that moment, a 17-year-old named Asukem dashed to her side, his expression a mix of fury and resolve, as if he were ready to confront a grave threat. The other kids observed Asukem's swift response, and even Bob sensed that someone was in serious danger. With concern etched on his face, he turned to Isabella and asked, "What's wrong Izzie?" Overwhelmed by emotion, Isabella began to cry, struggling to convey the urgency of the situation, managing only to utter fragments like "two men," "Clair," and "in trouble."

Asukem's frustration reached a boiling point as he demanded, "Where is she!" His voice was laced with anger and urgency, but Isabella, paralyzed by fear, could only respond with tears. In that moment of hesitation, Asukem bit his lip, torn between his emotions and the pressing need to find Clair. With a heavy heart, he closed his eyes, regretting his next move, yet he felt compelled to act and swiftly struck Isabella across the face. The suddenness of the slap silenced her sobs, leaving her in stunned disbelief as she cradled her cheek. The other children and Bob stood in shock at Asukem's drastic action. Quickly, he pulled Isabella into an embrace, his voice softening as he explained, "Izzie, I'm really sorry, but big sis Clair is in danger! We need to save her first, and then we can cry together." He extended his pinky with a hopeful smile, though his face still bore the weight of regret. Sniffling and battling the shock from the slap, Isabella grasped his pinky, mustering a brave expression and giving a slight nod. Just before they departed, Bob called out, "Go get them, boy, and give them double the beating for me."