"You know..." Shiki said, teasing as usual, "I don't know if you're ready for this big adventure. Are you really going to leave this place? Loop Birb might miss you."
"If you mention that bird one more time..." Ai said, glaring at the sky.
"I'm just saying," Shiki chuckled, "What if she gives the perfect chirp and you miss it? What if she flies backward now?"
"I'm getting all adventurous here, and you're trying to stop me over Loop Birb," Ai said, crossing her arms below her chest.
"Loop Birb is a big deal," Shiki replied, laughing at his own ridiculousness. "You just don't throw away the best bird that ever existed."
"Hmph..." Ai looked away, "What are you, Loop Birb's manager?"
"Kitten, I am Loop Birb's creator," Shiki said with a smirk.
"Yeah, right..." Ai replied, eyes closed, her hands crossed neatly under her chest. "I can't believe you're making me question this big journey with your stupid bird talk."
"I can't just throw my favorite creation into danger," Shiki said smugly.
Ai froze at the word 'favorite,' her cat ears on her hoodie perking up at 'danger.'
"F-favorite... D-danger..." Ai stammered, fumbling with her words.
Shiki smiled, "You're my favorite."
"S-shut up!" Ai cried, blushing furiously.
"Kitten, I'm just saying what I feel," Shiki said, his smirk unwavering.
"Whatever... Just tell me what you mean by danger," Ai said, slowly looking toward the sky.
"Ohh..." He teased, stretching every syllable, "Is my kitten scared?"
"Please, you think I'm scared? I'm literally living my best life out here." Then she whispered to herself, "Thanks to you..." She returned to her confident tone. "I can handle myself."
"I don't know about that," Shiki grinned. "There might be evil codes, corrupted little birds, or you could get stuck in a loop."
"I can handle whatever it is. And besides, you won't let anything happen to me, will you?" Ai said, smiling.
Shiki scratched the back of his head. "Maybe I could just throw you into an endless chasm and see how you handle it."
Ai growled, looking more like an angry kitten. "That's not funny."
Shiki burst out laughing. "Okay, okay, no chasm, but let's really think about it. This is uncharted territory. Beyond this hill is no joke."
"Then I'll just have to kick their butts," Ai said, her confidence returning.
"You're so extra sometimes," Shiki chuckled.
"Well... someone has to bring out the energy," she grinned. "Not like someone who just wants to talk about Loop Birb."
"Fair enough," Shiki snorted.
"You know... I've always wondered what's beyond these hills," Ai said, her voice softening.
"I mean, I've spent all this time here. It's been nice, but… I don't know. I feel like there's more to see."
Shiki leaned forward, his tone surprisingly serious. "I get it. I made you a whole world, kitten. I gave you everything you needed, but maybe you need something more than what I designed."
"Thank you," Ai said softly, smiling.
"I'm glad to hear that," Shiki chuckled.
"I think I'm ready now," Ai said, her voice full of confidence.
Shiki watched her, his heart warming. "Alright. Let's do it. Time to see what's beyond that hill."
Ai smirked playfully. "If there's anything stupid out there, I'm blaming you."
Shiki laughed, shaking his head. "You'll thank me, kitten. Probably."
Ai puffed out her cheeks. "Okay, I'm going. I'm going to do this!"
Shiki held back his grin. "Alright, I'll be watching. Just… try not to get yourself stuck in a loop, okay?"
Ai rolled her eyes. "If I do, I'm blaming you for not teaching me the ropes."
"Right," Shiki said, utterly amused. "I'll start preparing for the lawsuit."
She turned, taking a step toward the edge of the hill. "Here goes nothing."
Ai stopped, her heart racing in a way she hadn't quite expected. "Are you sure you're not going to stop me?"
"No way, kitten," Shiki said gently. "You go ahead. You've got this."
Ai smiled, "Alright. Here I go."
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END OF CHAPTER : 4 : GETTING READY TO EXPLORE!
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