After I got into Hikki, through Simple and Clean (I don't like to say Kingdom Hearts because I really only bought the game to see who sang the song. I don't play video games.), it took me a long while to get into any other J-Pop. I became obsessed with Hikki and solely her for a while, but then I discovered Koda Kumi and Shiina Ringo. I liked both of them, but not nearly as much as Hikki. There were others too and lots now, but back then I hated Ayu. I could not stand her voice.
The first time I encountered Ayu was when I went on YesAsia to buy COLORS and saw No way to say on the main page. I listened to some of her stuff (I think Boys & Girls and TO BE) and just cringed. I really didn't like her. When CAROLS was released, I heard it and liked it quite I bit. I was surprised, and it was my "guilty pleasure." haha When MY STORY came out, I decided to go ahead and give Ayu another shot and I was so shocked. I loved every song on the album, especially About You. I still didn't really like her voice, but it grew on me a lot and now I love her so much.
haha