The roar of the crowd still echoed in her ears.
Kaia walked briskly down the backstage corridor, heels clicking on polished concrete. The moment the curtain fell on her final pose, the music fading into a roar of applause, the gears behind her eyes had already begun to turn. Her body double—Rika Nakamura—was waiting at the hallway junction, disguised in a matching hoodie and black face mask, posture mimicking Kaia's iconic gait.
"Nice timing, Rika," Kaia said softly.
Rika gave a slight nod. "Your schedule's clear for the next thirty minutes. I'll handle the press wave."
Without another word, Kaia removed her silver stage jacket and handed it to Rika, who slipped into it seamlessly. The resemblance was uncanny, not just in looks but in presence—Rika had spent years mastering Kaia's rhythm, from the way she adjusted her ponytail to the casual flick of her gaze.
A few feet behind them, the manager—Ms. Kang—hurried up, tablet in hand, breathless from coordinating media interviews.
"Kaia, the sponsor rep—wait…" Her eyes narrowed slightly, but before suspicion could land, Rika stepped forward and flipped her hood.
"I've got it," Rika said with Kaia's exact cadence. "Headache's still here. She needs ten."
Ms. Kang paused. Then, nodding curtly, she pivoted to usher the staff toward the press area. "Ten minutes. No more."
Kaia was already gone.