Koishikute was Kumi's first ballad in more than a year after Ai Wo Tomenaide. It was released right after Christmas and apparently it's her worst selling single since Hot Stuff, ouch! It debuted on the Oricon Weekly chart at #7 with 18,540 copies sold going to sell approximately a total of 24,000 physical units while it's certified gold for 100,000 downloads (chaku-uta full and PC downloads) The single features a new original ballad and the Okamoto Mayo's cover, Alone.
Here's my review:

01. Koishikute is an intense power ballad but frankly...did we miss another sappy Kumi's ballad anyway? The song is lovely with a bittersweet piano and Kumi's amazing voice which explodes in a pretty cheesy higher final chorus. As I just said, Koishikute is good but nothing new nor special so it does't reach super high scores for me 7/10

02. Alone Kumi sang this song during an Avex audition back in 2000 when she got signed with the label, so it's very special for her! Alone is sweet and gentle but again, nothing mindblowing...you'll barely remember it even after repeted listens. Nevertheless, the song is classy and elegant and it's unlikely that someone would dislike it 7/10