^She really wasn't breathy until Heart Station. Hikki had great voice control during her first four albums (well 5, if u include Exodus). Her lives were excellent as well especially Hikaru no 5. You guys should watch her covers of other artists songs like A-ha's
Take Me On and Green Day's
Boulavard of Broken Dreams (OMG! Talk about excellent vocal control.
). I guess after UU06, her vocal cords were really damaged.
I read from another Hikki fan that she was suggested to get a surgery on it but she refused.