 In 2000 , Kumi auditioned for the Avex Trax open " Dream Audition " and came second out of a total of 120 @,@ 000 participants . Following this , Avex employed Japanese producer Max Matsuura , known for his collaborations with fellow female Japanese artists Ayumi Hamasaki and Namie Amuro , to start the Avex Trax @-@ sub label , Rhythm Zone , in 1999 and eventually signed her to the label later that year . Her label had hired composer and arranger Kazuhito Kikuchi to compose " Take Back " , but Avex instructed Kumi to take singing lessons every weekend in Tokyo before recording it . At that time , she stated that she didn 't feel " anxious " about the situation , having already spent 500 @,@ 000 yen ( approximately $ <unk> USD ) she won from the open audition towards food . 
