[masa]

I'd like to inform you of two news about her physical condition, which I've got from Japanese fansites. My impression to hear the news is "Grave and painful".

1. She caught a cold on Dec 29 2002 and cancelled the reharsal of Kouhaku on Dec 30. At the night she held a live concert at the same hall as Countdown Live concert, but she could not sing well. And at the end of the concert, she apologized the audience in tears for not having been able to do it satisfactorily. And she sang "Dolls" without back music in token of apology.
2. On the early morning of Jan 1 2003 after she ended up all her tight schedule, some eager fans were still waiting for her at the exit of TV station. The car with her in it came out and they rushed around it. The car stopped and she appeared out from it, but she looked quite exhausted, almost like a patient in a hospital. She said to them in a weak voice, "Thank you very much. Please be always by my side. Please don't forsake me.", which surprised them very much, as she had never said such words to them. The two fans staying there reported as this and I think it was a true story.