FRUITS ZIPPER's Matsumoto Karen (松本かれん) updated Instagram on 15 August and shared a two-shot photo with SUZUKA of ATARASHII GAKKO!. The photo became a talking point, prompting reactions from fans that evoked a romantic relationship between the two.
Matsumoto Karen (松本かれん) of the idol group FRUITS ZIPPER updated Instagram on 15 August and shared a two-shot with SUZUKA of the dance and vocal unit ATARASHII GAKKO!. The photo shows the two, who have interacted before, posing side by side with their faces close together toward the camera, while Matsumoto makes a peace sign.
Matsumoto appears in a pale pink outfit and tiara, while SUZUKA wears a white-and-navy sailor-style uniform with round black-rimmed glasses. Matsumoto wrote, “I love that we go out and call each other too!!” suggesting that the two have also been deepening their friendship privately.
The post drew reactions including “Are you dating?” and “The pairing I could least have imagined,” sparking buzz among fans over the nature of their relationship. Multiple previous references indicating that the two had interacted were cited as the background.
It was also reported that in March, FRUITS ZIPPER's official X account shared a two-shot and said that Matsumoto loved SUZUKA, along with details of their previous interactions.