Momoiro Clover Z, the sister group to Shiritsu Ebisu Chuugaku, paid tribute to Rina Matsuno during a special segment at the first date of their Momo Kuro Kurabo xoxo Valentine DE NIGHT Day~Z! 2017 live concert.

Held at the famed Yokohama Arena, over 12,000 fans packed into the venue to see the girls perform. Before the show officially began all five members came out stage to address the tragic news. Momoiro Clover Z’s leader Kanako Momota took the reigns by doing the majority of the speaking. She commented on all the precious memories she had with Rina, who she had to opportunity to work with many times throughout their idol career. Kanako still couldn’t believe the news was real, expressing how she felt that there was “empty holes” in her mind while trying to cope. Kanako promised that the girls would give it their all that night, so that themselves and the fans could escape for a bit from the tragic news. Many fans took to social media to praise the group for the simple, yet effective tribute for Rina.

In a statement released by Rina’s agency it was revealed that the cause of death was fatal arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm). This occurs when the electrical impulses that coordinate your heartbeats don’t work properly. This results in your heart beating too fast, or too slow/irregularly. Rina originally couldn’t attend a Shiritsu Ebisu Chuugaku concert due to health issues, while recuperating at home her parents noticed odd behavior and called the ambulance. She was taken to the hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.

All Shiritsu Ebisu Chuugaku events for the month of February have been canceled, exception being a special farewell ceremony for Rina. The ceremony will take place on February 25th at the Pacifico Yokohama convention center.

(via hochi)