and then

Avex has added Ayu’s upcoming single glitter/fated to the mu-mo shop, signifying that it’s now available for pre-order pretty much everywhere.

In addition to the use of “glitter” to promote Kiwi, “fated” will be featured in the film 「怪談」 (kaidan; ghost story). The film’s official site has updated with a new trailer featuring the song (last I checked, Windows Media Player links weren’t working, but Quicktime was functional).

Ayu’s official website has been updated frequently over the last week, mostly with new links. The official a-nation ‘07 site is now live with a complete list of artist appearances. Ayu’s schedule is as follows:

8/12(日) 静岡公演 (Shizuoka performance)
8/18(土) 神戸公演 (Kobe performance)
8/19(日) 神戸公演 (Kobe performance)
8/25(土) 東京公演 (Tokyo performance)
8/26(日) 東京公演 (Tokyo performance)

In addition, the English site has finally been updated with a mirror of ABEST2.com.

Perhaps the most exciting new link is that of the official 「浜崎あゆみにこれ聞きたーい!」 (Hamasaki Ayumi ni kore kikitai!; I want to ask Ayumi Hamasaki!) form. Since the MY STORY tour, Ayu and her guitarist have made answering fan questions an encore staple–usually with hilarious results. The Secret tour is now taking questions at this form.

Yahoo! News JP has updated with a preview of the new Zespri CM, and thus Ayu’s new song “glitter”.

Perhaps more importantly, Ayu’s official site has updated with the single’s CD tracklisting. The DVD has yet to be determined, though CDJapan.jp says it will have a PV for both A-side tracks.

Tower Records has glitter/fated slated to hit shelves July 18th. The double a-side will be available in both a CD-only and CD+DVD format. No tracklisting yet, nor have other online retailers like CDJapan or Yesasia added it to their catalog, but keep an eye out for it.

As announced earlier, “glitter” will premier May 19th in a Zespri commercial.

SANSPO.com reports that Ayu’s latest song — presumably the one she spoke about recording in her Team Ayu message — has been named “glitter”. Like “BLUE BIRD”, it will be used to promote Zespri Gold kiwis (…), the commercial for which will premier the 19th of this month!

We’re due for a “summer” song; personally, “glitter” makes me think either “JEWEL”-esque ballad or… disco. I guess we’ll have to wait and see. Hopefully this puts us on schedule for the July single.

Still no word on that new song Ayu mentioned in her last fan message, but her official site is still keeping busy, announcing yet another Sanrio collaboration. This time Panasonic joins the party with a limited edition design of their popular Lumix camera (which Ayu regularly endorses) . The camera features Hello Kitty and Ayu’s logo engraved on the front and a cute, matching camera case. The special collaboration will hit stores in June.

Wedding rumors about Ayu have been a tabloid staple since she entered the spotlight. Although the latest story originated in glorified tabloid Daily Gendai, with major online news syndications like Yahoo! and Livedoor picking it up — and the story itself discussing corporate collaborations more than celebrity affairs — fans are speculating that Gendai just might be on to something this time. If the story proves true, Ayumi Hamasaki and long-time boyfriend Tomoya Nagase may have a big announcement come Autumn.

Tomoya Nagase is a fellow entertainer Ayu allegedly met during her days as a struggling actress. They went public with their relationship in 2004, and have reportedly been together for six years.