“Ichika found out thirty minutes before the rest of the world,” a production staff member revealed under condition of anonymity. “Yui handed her a handwritten letter and a single white camellia—the flower of ‘unrequited love’ in their language. Ichika just sat in the dressing room, staring at the wall. She didn’t cry. She just… stopped breathing for a minute.”

In her update, Mats expressed her admiration for Nagase and acknowledged the impact of her retirement on the industry. Mats' message also hinted at a potential new project or venture, which is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.