Matsumoto then performed an impromptu, a cappella verse of Strawberry Milk’s debut single, "Namida no Ato" (After the Tears)—a song Nagase originally sang lead on. Halfway through, Matsumoto’s voice cracked, and she whispered into the camera: "Thank you, Yui. Now go make your pots. I’ll keep the stage warm."
Ichika Matsumoto, while perhaps not as immediately recognizable to casual fans, has built a solid career in her own right. With a voice that's both youthful and capable of conveying depth, Matsumoto has been a part of several notable projects. Her chemistry with Yui Nagase, both on and off screen, has been well-received, making her a natural consideration for roles that Nagase is vacating. Yui Nagase declares her retirement. Ichika Mats...
Fans woke up to the somber news as Nagase, 29, released a handwritten letter titled "To Everyone Who Gave Me Light." In the letter, she cited a desire to pursue a "normal, quiet life away from the cameras" and hinted at "unresolved health concerns that require long-term rest." While she did not specify the exact nature of her illness, sources close to the production of her currently airing drama, Midnight in Shinjuku , confirmed that Nagase had been visiting a hospital regularly over the past six months. Matsumoto then performed an impromptu, a cappella verse