contrary to expectations; or so we thought, but ...
to stroke; to caress; to brush gently; to comb (hair); to smooth down
almost; very nearly; only just; barely; just in time
to give up (an idea or plan); to abandon; to refrain from (doing); to change one's mind
arm; ability; skill; (physical) strength
return (of something borrowed or entrusted); returning; giving back; repayment
to turn up; to make an appearance; to put in an appearance; to drop by
answer sheet; blank answer paper; examination paper; test paper
marks; points; score; number of items; number of articles
low (rank, degree, value, content, quality, etc.); low (position); close to the ground; short (height); deep (voice); in a low key
wow!; oh!; yeah!; alright!; waah!; boohoo!
congratulation; congratulations; celebration; congratulatory gift; present
embarrassed smile; embarrassed laugh; bashful smile
you're welcome; don't mention it; not at all; my pleasure
so; therefore; and; (and) then
destination; whereabouts; future; prospects
candidate; contender; prospect; candidacy; candidature; nomination
to get better; to get well; to recover (from an illness); to be cured; to be restored; to heal
no matter how much time passes; no matter how long you wait; (taking) forever
being startled; getting a shock
seeing (someone) off; send-off; deferment; postponement; letting a pitch go by; wait-and-see attitude
to seize; to catch; to obtain; to acquire; to understand; to grasp
to rise; to get up; to stand up; to sit up
outer canthus; outer corner of the eye
appearing drowsy or intoxicated (of eyes, actions, etc.)
lion; left-hand (stone) guardian lion-dog at a Shinto shrine
to sing; to sing of (love, beauty, etc.) in a poem; to express in the form of a poem; to recite (a poem)
absurd; unreasonable; rash; reckless; excessive; immoderate
song; singing; classical Japanese poem (esp. tanka); modern poetry
thanks; gratitude; manners; etiquette; bow; reward
next time it will be me who needs your help; when times are tough, we should help each other; we are all in this together
to break off; to come to an end; to be interrupted; to be cut short; to pause
to be troubled; to have difficulty; to be bothered; to be inconvenienced; to be badly off; to be hard up
it's OK to ...; it's best to ...; it's alright to ...
one (thing); one piece; one item
bad(-tasting); unpalatable; poor; unskillful; ugly; unattractive
to breathe while sleeping
listen!; you see; mind you; remember