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If something could describe the voice that was currently echoing through the Gathering Hub as literally the only source of any sound in comparison to the livley atmosphere of the usual business it was definitely something else.
Even more surprising that as you rounded the tree in the middle and came across the source of the vocals. It was none other than Kamura's beloved Ninja master Utsushi, singing his heart out to a song he probably just came up with.
You knew that Utsushi had a pretty decent singing voice, since he has the tendency to hum a Melody whenever he's busy working on something, like the next practice idea for his students or checking his gear, but honestly, his actual voice does take you by surprise.
He could seriously steal the show of the twins if he would actually sing during festivals, every thought you really enjoy the intimacy that the current situation has.
Luckily Utsushi hasn't noticed you yet, so you decide to sit on one benches on the terrace, a bit away from him, and enjoyed his singing. Hell, he could even sing you to sleep if he wanted and not before long your mind drifts to it's usual daydreams.
You noticed a bit too late that he abruptly stopped before what you assumed is the refrain of the song and got an abrupt wake up call in him calling you out.
"Eh! Ace? What are you doing here?"
Crap, he noticed you listening in to him singing and even if he immediately slipped his mask back up, you noticed a bright red blush on his face.
"Uh, hey Master, fancy seeing you here", you grinned embarrassed and a heavy laying akward silence was over you both, before you tried to lift the mood.
"I was about to get something I forgot here", hopefully he takes the bait, but deep down you know that Utsushi wouldn't believe you that. He's the one who taught you everything you know about hunting and fighting.
"Ah, okay then", Utsushi answered in his usual chipper self, "Don't stay out too long though, you know that you have a long day before you"
"I know Master", you answered.
"That's my Ace!", he had his usual broad grin that you swear you could see through his mask and ruffled through your hair, "Good night then!"
You watched him leave through the entrance and debated in your head if you should let him know that you heard his singing or not.
"Master Utsushi, wait!"
Well, seems like your heart decided for you as you called out for him and his golden eyes return to facing you.
"Is something Ace?", his expression immediately spelled out that he's worried, which isn't out of the ordinary for you, he always cares about his students and you're basically his first one, so naturally he cares even more about you.
"You....", and again, you tried to form a sentence with your thoughts, but your heart immediately goes with whatever it wants, "... have an amazing singing voice"
Oh god... Oh god! You could mentally facepalm yourself for blurring that out and judging by Utsushi's expression, he wasn't expecting you to say that, his face redder than a Crimson Glow Valstrax and his hands immediately pulls his scarf even higher, while his golden eyes looked frantically through the Gathering Hub.
"Are you alright Master?", you asked worried, seeing him in this state made you panik as well.
"Ye-yeah, I'm fine", Utsushi quickly reassured you, his face still bright red, "It's just.... I'm not that good of a singer"
He seems a bit down after the compliment, his scarf now fully down, something he only does whenever he's around someone he fully trusts, since he already had his fair share of comments about his appearance, mainly his canine like fangs, which you actually thought were cute as hell.
"That's not true Master", you tried to lift his mood, "You could easily steal the twins' spotlight if you want."
"Thanks for the compliment Ace, but I'm not that good", he countered, "Especially not to outshine Hinota and Minota"
"Did you ever tried though?", you asked, going over to Utsushi.
He sights. "You mean singing? Ace, you know I'm not the best at that"
"Just because you dodged around that. What I heard earlier definitely say otherwise"
"Ace, I-", he wanted to continue, but you immediately put a finger on his lips, shutting him down.
"Utsushi, listen", you started, dropping the formalities, another thing you were able to do without him calling you out on that, "You seriously shouldn't just say you're bad at singing. Your voice is fucking amazing and one I could listen to for hours and if I say that you could rival the twins, I mean it."
His eyes slightly widened and a faint blush reappears in his face.
"There's no fucking way I would ever lie to you Utsushi.", your eyes were basically glued to him, your finger on his lips long gone, "You're seriously an amazing singer"
A few seconds passed before you go towards the entrance of the hub.
"Night Master Utsushi", you waved him goodbye before he could even react and immediately wirebugged over to your house as soon as you were out of the hub.
"Maybe I should try to be more confident in my voice then, even if I got called out for my monster impressions a bit too often", he grins, before making his way home.