(I) Rumors in Reverb (Choso Kamo X Reader)
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Pairing: Bassist!Choso Kamo x Popular!Reader (Modern College AU) Synopsis: One cryptic song dedication blows up your campus world—whispers say it’s for you. The dedicator? The "loser" you’ve never noticed… until every crash and glance starts echoing louder than the rumors. Will he ever speak, or just let the reverb fade? Content Warnings: Toxic bandmate dynamics including misogyny and verbal bullying, public humiliation via social media, explicit sexual content (18+, future chapters), revenge plots, power imbalances, intense emotional confrontations, strong language, alcohol use, and morally ambiguous choices. All Characters are legal. First Chord | Backstage Whispers | Offbeat Encounter | Static | Out of Tune | Bass Drop | Harmony or Hazard | Dissonant | False Notes | Distortion | Severed Strings | Final Show (THNK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT)
You wake up to the shrill beep! beep! beep! of your alarm, the kind that pierces through the fog of sleep like a knife. It's one of those mornings where everything feels off, your head throbs faintly from staying up too late the night before, cramming for today's quiz you'd probably ace anyway.
The room is still dim, early light filtering through the curtains of your dorm, casting long shadows across the posters on your wall: a mix of bands or groups you like, motivational quotes, and that one abstract painting you picked up at a flea market because it made you feel alive.
You groan, rolling over to slap the alarm silent, but the damage is done.
You're already running late.
Glancing at the clock, your heart sinks. Class starts in fifteen minutes, and it's the only one on your schedule today.
"Shit!" you mutter under your breath, throwing off the covers and scrambling to your feet.
No time for a proper outfit, jeans, a simple blouse that hugs your figure just enough to turn heads without trying, and your favorite sneakers. You grab your bag, sling it over your shoulder, and dash out the door, barely remembering to lock it behind you.
The campus is buzzing as always, a sea of students weaving between buildings under the crisp autumn air. Leaves crunch underfoot, and the distant hum of conversations blends with the occasional laugh or shout. You've always navigated this chaos with ease, your presence drawing eyes even when you're alone.
It's not something you chase; it just happens.
Your 'aura', as Yuki calls it, the way you carry yourself with quiet confidence, shining without needing a spotlight. Popular by default, they say. But today, you're too focused on the ticking seconds to notice the whispers or stares.
You're jogging down the main path, eyes glued to your watch, when it happens. A solid collision, shoulder to shoulder, sends you stumbling back a step. Your bag slips slightly, and irritation flares hot in your chest.
"Watch where you're going!" you snap, not even bothering to look up. The words come out sharper than intended, fueled by the growing ache in your head and the fear of being late.
You don't wait for a response, just readjust, check the time again, ten minutes now, and keep moving. Whoever it was mutters something low, but you're already gone, weaving through the crowd.
By the time you burst into the lecture hall, out of breath and flustered, the room is half-full. Students chatter in clusters, no sign of the professor.
You slide into your usual seat near the back, next to Yuki, who's scrolling through her phone with that easy grin of hers. She's your rock in this sea of superficial friendships, the only one who gets you without the drama.
"Where's the prof?" you ask, dropping your bag with a thud.
Yuki looks up, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
"Absent. Just got the email. Only class of the day, too. Lucky us, right?"
"Fuck!"
The word escapes louder than you mean, drawing a few glances. You rub your temples, the headache blooming into something fierce.
"I rushed out of bed for this? My head hurts like a bitch. I'm going home to rest."
Yuki laughs, that bright, infectious sound that always lightens your mood a fraction.
"Wait, don't go home yet! Sigh, you probably didn't notice your socials blowing up, too?"
You pause, frowning as you pull out your phone. It's on Do Not Disturb, as always during crunch times.
"What do you mean? I'm on DND, Yuki. You know the annual ball's coming up and a lot of people are trying to get me to be their partner."
She leans in, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.
"What do you like in a guy?"
You blink, caught off guard.
"Yuki, it's so early for that. Just… someone cute and talented, I guess. Anyone who can make me breathless. I like a challenge."
Her grin widens.
"Guess who just got in line for your heart?"
"Who?"
Her grin widened even more, making her look possessed as she wiggled her eyebrows up and down while staring into your soul.
"The 'Choso' guy. The one who's always being pushed around by the losers he calls friends just because they're bandmates? That Choso."
You tilt your head, trying to place the name.
"So?"
Yuki groans, playfully smacking your arm.
"You're hopeless. This is why people mistake you as some arrogant bitch. You only focus on your grades—"
"Is that a bad thing? Yuki, why are you telling me this? I'm so sleepy, please."
You know she’s your friend, but right now you can’t focus. Your head is pounding like a drum after being yanked out of sleep way too early this morning, and every word she says feels like it’s bouncing off the walls of your skull. You’re desperate to sink back into the warmth of your blanket, to ignore the world and its demands, but here you are—trapped in a conversation, fighting the stubborn haze of sleep. You blink slowly, trying to form coherent thoughts, but all you want is silence, darkness, and a few more minutes to yourself.
She sighs, but there's no real frustration there.
"It's been weeks now since the rumor Choso likes you has exploded. Are you deaf or something? How could you, of all people, not know?"
"I'm busy." You shrug, but curiosity flickers. "Where did that rumor come from? They're probably just making fun of him."
"No, there are receipts! During their last gig, he mentioned dedicating the song to someone unattainable, someone who hasn't looked at him no matter how hard he tried."
"So? That could be you—"
"Babe, you know damn well we're neighbors. I always see him," she laughs, shaking her head.
You roll your eyes, but a small smile tugs at your lips.
"Okay? So let him be. My headache's really killing me. I don't want to worry about some trivial thing right now."
Yuki gives you a knowing look but doesn't push.
"Fine, go rest. But check your socials later. It's wild."
You part ways outside the building, the campus air a bit warmer now as the morning sun climbs higher. Students mill about, some heading to cafes, others to the library. You wave off a couple of acquaintances who try to chat, your mind already on your bed. The walk back to your dorm feels longer than usual, each step amplifying the throb in your skull. Finally, you collapse onto your bed, kicking off your shoes and pulling the covers up.
But sleep doesn't come easy. Yuki's words linger, nagging at the edges of your thoughts.
With a sigh, you grab your phone and turn off DND. Notifications flood in, tags, comments, DMs. Your feed is a mess of schoolmates roasting this Choso guy in comments on your posts, tagging you in stories with screen recordings from what looks like a dimly lit gig. Curiosity wins, so you tap one.
The video starts shaky, the crowd cheering as stage lights flicker over a band setup. Drums thrum in the background, guitars wailing. Then the camera focuses on the lead singer, no, the bassist, you think. He's tall, with dark hair tied back in a messy bun, a few tattoos peeking from under his sleeves.
His voice is low, almost haunting as he speaks into the mic: "I wrote this for a schoolmate I can't have… someone who hasn't looked my way, no matter how hard I've tried."
The crowd erupts, some laughing, others whistling. Comments overlay the screen.
LMAO Choso spilling tea on (Yn)?
Dude's simping hard for the ice queen.
Roast him, he's with those losers Naoya and Toji.
You pause the video, staring at his face. Choso. Maybe you've forgotten the name, but not that face. You've seen him around, quiet, intense eyes that seem to hold secrets, always strumming a guitar in the quad or hanging back at parties.
People call him a loser because of his crew: Naoya, the infamous jerk with an ego bigger than his talent, and Toji, the 'brooding 'idgaf' type who smirks more than he talks. But Choso? He's decent-looking, more than that, actually. Handsome in a rugged way, with sharp features and a presence that draws you in despite the labels.
You've heard the whispers before:
"I'd crack him if he wasn't friends with Naoya. That jerk's so intolerable."
"It's unfortunate he's one of the losers. He's fine and talented."
It always made you a little sad, because from what little you've observed, Choso seems… normal. Kind, even, in that quiet way.
'He likes me?'
The thought hits you, and you scoff in disbelief, setting the phone down.
'Maybe they're just wrong. He couldn't possibly like me, we haven't even interacted before. Have we?'
You rack your brain, but nothing comes up. Just passing glances, maybe.
The days blur after that, the rumor simmering in the background like static. The annual ball looms closer, posters plastered everywhere: glittering dresses, masks, the promise of a night to remember. And with it comes the onslaught. Guys approach you in the halls, at the cafe, even during study breaks.
"Hey (Yn), got a partner for the ball yet?"
"You'd look amazing with me, think about it."
You smile politely, deflect with "I probably won't go," but it doesn't stop them. It's exhausting, but part of the territory. You've been popular long before any rumor, your shine coming from within, top grades, that effortless charm, the way you light up a room without trying.
One afternoon, you're dreading your shared class with Naoya. It's a large lecture on music theory, ironic given his band's rep. You slip in early, hoping to avoid the crowd, but as class ends, a group of guys corners you near the door.
"Come on, (Yn), say yes to the ball with me."
"No, me, I've got tickets to the afterparty."
You laugh lightly, shaking your head.
"Guys, really, I probably won't go. Thanks, though."
They linger a bit, but you edge away, heading for the exit. Peace, finally, until a voice cuts through.
"Well, well, look at that. Seems like everyone's suddenly vying for your attention. Not surprising. People do like to latch onto whatever's popular. Guess you have our band to thank for that. Just don't forget, they'll all scatter once the show's over."
You turn, meeting Naoya's smug gaze. He's leaning against a desk, arms crossed, that perpetual sneer on his face. His hair is slicked back, clothes expensive but worn with arrogance. You've never liked him, his misogynistic bullshit grates on you, the way he talks down to everyone like he's king.
Not to be mean, but you knew you've been popular before the rumor. Still, you bite it back.
"Well, at least I'm getting asked out," you shoot back instead, voice cool.
He chuckles, stepping closer.
"I told you, anyone's going to approach you just for the hype. Let's see how long that lasts."
Before you can retort, the door swings open. The 'Choso' walks in, looking a bit disheveled, like he rushed here. His eyes flick to you, then away, but Naoya spots him immediately.
"Oh. Speaking of the hype." Naoya pats Choso's shoulder a little forcefully, making him wince slightly. "Congrats. You made this princess the talk of the campus."
Choso's jaw tightens.
"Stop."
You stand there, heart picking up pace, waiting for him to confirm or deny. Trying not to assume, but curiosity burns.
"Hi… about the song—"
Choso's breath hitches visibly, his dark eyes widening like he wasn't expecting you to bring it up. For a split second, something vulnerable flashes across his face, hope? Nervousness? But before he can speak, Naoya grabs his arm, yanking him toward the door, bumping into you in the process.
"We're leaving. Rehearsals, remember?" Naoya calls back to you with a mocking grin. "Don't get too curious. You might start believing things that weren't even for you."
On the other side of the door, you hear faint voices fading.
Choso's low "I… would've answered."
Naoya's sharp "Choso. Shut up."
You're left standing there, dumbfounded, as the hallway empties. Then, Toji appears from around the corner, jogging lightly to catch up with the two. He's built like a wall, scars on his face adding to that intimidating aura, but he's Naoya's cousin, or something like that, from the rumors.
He glances at you, smirks a little… or was that a scoff? Hard to tell with him. Then he's gone, joining the others.
You exhale slowly, shaking your head.
They're weird. Did you just get a taste of why people call them losers?
The whole encounter leaves a strange buzz in your chest, annoyance mixed with intrigue. Choso's face lingers in your mind, that hitch in his breath, the way he looked at you like you were the only one in the room.
The afternoon sun dips lower as you head back to your dorm, the campus alive with pre-ball excitement. Groups huddle planning outfits, laughter ringing out. You spot Yuki waving from a bench, coffee in hand.
"Hey! Survive the hordes?" she teases.
"Barely." You sit, stealing a sip of her drink. "Ran into Naoya and Choso. It was… awkward."
Her eyes light up. "Spill!"
You recount it, detail by detail, the snide comments, the interrupted question, Toji's cryptic smirk. Yuki listens, nodding, her expression shifting from amusement to sympathy.
"Naoya's such an ass. But Choso… girl, he sounds smitten. That breath hitch? Classic."
"Maybe." You lean back, watching leaves swirl in the wind. "But why hang with those guys? Naoya's ego is toxic, and Toji's just… intense."
"Band loyalty, I guess. Their gigs are fire, though. Choso's bass lines? Chef's kiss." She mimics playing an instrument, making you chuckle.
The conversation drifts to lighter things, your confusion's gone, replaced by a quiet energy. You talk about classes, that new cafe off-campus, Yuki's latest crush. Little college moments that ground you amid the chaos. As evening falls, lights flicker on across the quad, students heading to dinners or study sessions.
Back in your room, you finally unwind. Homework done, you scroll socials again, not for rumors, but habit. More tags pop up: edits of Choso's gig clip with your face photoshopped in, memes roasting his "loser" crew. It stings a bit. He's talented, from what you've seen. Pretty decent, actually. Handsome, too, in his own bassist way.
You set the phone aside, staring at the ceiling. In the end, you still have no clue.
Maybe you'll just ignore him and let him tell you himself? He already announced it at the gig, after all… if it was really you, he'd say it for sure, wouldn't he?
༘˚⋆𐙚。⋆𖦹.✧˚🌸༘˚⋆𐙚。⋆𖦹.✧˚
I've started another series again while I still have ongoing ones, hehe. I don't even know yet how many parts this would have. Follow and interact so next parts come faster?
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