The Manager (KDA Male Insert)

The Beginning

2015

Director: Aaaaand cut!

Ahri sighed as she finally stopped smiling and relaxed. It had been only 2 hours but it felt like she was dancing and lip singing for the past 2 years. She was exhausted. Tired.

Roy: Let's take a short break, everyone!

Ahri walked off the makeshift stage the crew had made for music video they were filming. Immediately, one of the make up people came over and fixed the slight smudge on her cheek while Ahri rolled her eyes.

Roy: What a perfect take, Ahri! This song is sure to top the charts.

Ahri looked at her manager's smile and growled to herself. It was as fake as everything else on this set. He meant well but she knew that in the end, he was only loyal to the record company.

Ahri gently pushed the woman's hand away and gave her a smile before she walked over to the snack table that was set out for the crew and her.

Ahri: Thanks, Roy. The song is....fine.

Roy: Fine?

Ahri looked down at the outfit they had put her in. The costume designer called it, "cute with a bit of scandal". Really, it looked like her normal outfit, just black instead of white.

Ahri: All of this...it's not really me. It's cute, fun....harmless. I feel like I'm just playing a part.

Roy scratched his cheek.

Roy: Well sure. But in the end, aren't we all?

He wasn't getting it. He never did. Ahri picked up a cookie as she did her best to explain it to him.

Ahri: I'd like to perform my own songs. I thought that was why you signed me to this record label.

Roy suddenly snatched the cookie from Ahri as he tried to keep up the nice guy act.

Roy: But this is the song the fans want! It tested well in our focus groups. We'll get to your songs. Promise.

Ahri looked at Roy for a moment. This...this was just fucked up.

Ahri: You've promised me that for the last year!

Roy started to sweat as he tried to come up with something, anything, that she wanted to hear right now.

Director: Aaand, we're back! Reset to places!

Ahri sighed and headed back toward the set while Roy stood there. He just shrugged and took a bite from the cookie.

2016.

Ahri: I'm breaking my contract, Eve.

Evelynn looked up from her steak at her friend. Ahri had called her to meet her at this restaurant to talk shop, which she wasn't opposed to, but she wasn't really expecting this.

Evelynn was an artist herself and had a, rough reputation since she was known as the "Diva Queen" of the music industry. She knew what she wanted and when she wanted it. If that made her a diva, then so be it.

Evelynn: That's a lot of money you're leaving on the table. Not to mention walking away from a guaranteed path to a big and safe career.

Ahri shook her head.

Ahri: I didn't start writing music because I wanted to be safe. I started because I had something to say. A hunger for something....more.

Evelynn took a drink of her wine as Ahri explained her situation.

Ahri: A chance to not only raise my voice, but others around me. I want to start a new group.

This caught Evelynn's attention.