The music blared through her window like a tempting whisper to come join. Ai Komari put her headphones on to try and block it out. Why did people insist on partying the hardest around exam time? K-Pop filled her ears as Ai's mind halted on studying and focused on her favorite daydream: life as a famous Pop Star. There would be no worrying about money, just touring and singing to crowds who were chanting her name. A fun life of complete luxury. As the song ended, her mind snapped back to studying. That was all a pipe dream. A one in a million shot. Who was she to think she was special? If she studied hard and passed her exams, then she'd have a shot at a stress-free life. Chasing her dream just wasn't in the cards.
Her best friend Kim barged through the room door.
"You are not going to believe this." Kim said.
Ai threw off her headphones. "What?"
"Two spots just opened up for Pop Idol. Two spots, Ai. And I know a guy who can get us in."
Pop Idol was another generic singing contest specifically catering to pop music. Kim and Ai talked about getting on it since they were kids, but never got a chance. Until now.
"Come on Ai, this is our shot. We can finally become Pop stars like we always dreamed about."
Although at first glance, it was a once in a lifetime opportunity, the timing couldn't have been worse. When Ai went to college, she accepted the fact that it was probably going to be her life. Study hard, get good grades and graduate before taking on the difficult task of finding a job. It just wasn't realistic to dream big. And now here she was writing her final exam when the other opportunity came knocking. If she did the competition and failed her test, it would be another semester of school. A semester she didn't want to take if she could avoid it. Jobs were like a cycle and an extra semester would throw her off for another half a year.
"Kim, I can't."
"What do you mean, you can't? This is our shot, Ai. This is our big break."
"This is a competition. Filled with thousands of girls just like us dreaming the same big dream."
"So, screw them. We are better, we have that wow factor. I'm telling you; the judges and people are going to love us."
Ai looked at her study notes. She still had a lot to do. If she did do the competition and advanced, she'd for sure miss the exam. It was time to stop dreaming and start building a future like everyone else.
"I'm sorry, Kim. I need to get this exam done. I don't want to be stuck behind because of some stupid dream."
Kim crossed her arms. "That stupid dream was all we talked about since we were little girls. Looks like someone finally drank the adult Kool-Aid bullshit. Have your fun studying. I'm going to go chase."
Kim left the room and slammed the door shut. Maybe the realities of the entertainment industry would finally be revealed once Kim had to compete with every other dreamer. They'd make up later, after Kim got it out of her system. For now, Ai had to study.
***
2 Years Later
"Ai!"
Ai entered the office dressed in her short skirt, and tight revealing shirt. There was a mandatory dress code specifically for her that was always to be adhered to.
"Yes, Mr. Wagner?"
"I have a business meeting in ten. I want you in here with my coffee and then the usual. It's supposed to be a real bore fest."
"Yes, Mr. Wagner." Ai went to turn around.
Ai landed the coveted assistant job after her first interview. The pool of candidates was mostly white girls and as luck would have it, Mr. Wagner preferred someone of Asian decent. He was nice at first, but then his demands increased little by little. Eventually he had her on call for blow jobs, and other demeaning sexual favors. It wasn't the most ideal job, but there were other girls willing to take her place. She knew the extra circular job duties were probably in the wrong, but the last thing she wanted to do was call out a powerful man. If no one took note of her story, then it would be buried along with her whole career.
Working her way to the top required concessions and free blow jobs and sex were just the fee she had to pay. Ai waited for the coffee pot to finish and looked up at the television.
'Please welcome international Pop Star Kim Ai.'
Ai scoffed as her former best friend strode on stage of the daytime talk show. From her first appearance, she became the unanimous favorite to win Pop Idol and went on to release three platinum albums. To always remind Ai of her mistake, Kim choose the stage name Kim Ai, as if to tell Ai that they could've been there together. The coffee dinged. Ai poured the cup. She envied her friend's position and at first never regretted her decision, but after a while, Ai came to realize life was about taking chances. Because as her friend was touring the world doing what she loved, Ai would be stuck under a table of men with a cock in her mouth. Fortune favored the bold.
"Here's your coffee Mr. Wagner." Ai said as she gently placed the cup in front of him.