to hear a rumor; to get wind of
skillful; skilled; proficient; flattery
to switch (secretly); to substitute; to replace; to sidestep (an issue)
trick; plot device; mystery-fiction trope
to tear up and throw away
as you see; as you can see
control; bringing under control; settling (a matter); putting in order
to be completed; to be finished; to be ready (e.g. to serve or eat); to be very drunk; to get plastered
increase; rise; growth; addition; increment
year after year; as the years go by; with each passing year
some people; a number of people; several people; a few people
superlative; extraordinary; mega; superdreadnought (class of warships)
life; living; livelihood; (one's) living
before one's own eyes; from under one's very nose; without doing anything; without resistance; helplessly; negligently
to be filled with strength; to be filled with effort; to be enthusiastic about; to be tired (ironic)
beginning; start; first (in line, etc.); origin; such as ...; not to mention ...
initial stages; first stage; early period; pioneer days; beginning; outset
even so; all the same; nevertheless; yes, but ...
restriction; restraint; limitation; limit
very; greatly; much; just about to; almost; very nearly
February; second month of the lunar calendar
postmark; (postal) cancellation mark
black ground; black cloth
black and white; monochrome; good and evil; right and wrong; guilt and innocence
principle; aim; purport; gist; instructions; orders
one's share; one's portion
to be pleased; to be in a good mood
one's origin (e.g. city, country, parentage, school)
Kantō (region comprising Tokyo and surrounding prefectures); Kantō (eastern half of Japan; during the feudal era)
neighbourhood; neighborhood; vicinity
tea (esp. green or barley); tea break; teatime; tea ceremony
to change (with the passage of time); to fade; to wane; to decline
to crush; to squash; to flatten; to quash (a plan, opposition, etc.); to crush; to suppress
bento; Japanese box lunch
to turn away; to bear off; to veer away; to deviate (e.g. of a conversation); to digress; to go astray
middle-aged man; Buddhist priest
something like ...; things like ...; someone like ...; the likes of ...