detective; investigator; sleuth; detective work; secret investigation
empty nest; empty house; empty home; burglary (of an empty house); burglar (who targets empty houses)
suspicious character (person, figure)
disturbance; confusion; perturbation; commotion; turbulence
therefore; and so; for that reason; accordingly; consequently; hence
meeting for reading research papers
papier-mâché; something that looks good superficially; sham
manufacture; production; production (of a film, play, TV show, etc.)
independent production (e.g. of a film)
outspoken; arguing (heatedly) what one believes in; insisting on something without restraint
confirmed as completed; everything must go (e.g. in a sale)
crowded; packed; crammed; cramped; filled; overflowing
confections; sweets; candy; cake
insertion; letter drop; sending to a prisoner; thing sent to a prisoner; supply of provisions, refreshments, etc. to someone carrying out a task
research division; research club (e.g. at school, university)
cord; strap; thong; string (of a musical instrument, bow, etc.)
to run out of; to be short of; to be out of stock; to be out of (e.g. breath); to lose (one's patience, concentration, etc.)
self-willed; (doing or saying things) to suit one's own convenience; oblivious to the convenience of others
complete stranger; total stranger
polite language (e.g. masu, desu)
ultrahigh temperature; superhigh temperature; extreme heat
don't be absurd; that's out of the question; nonsense; don't mention it
experimental device; experimental equipment
attraction (e.g. magnetic, gravitation); affinity; gravitational pull; attractiveness; magnetism
pigtails; two plaits (braids) hanging about one's shoulders; two plaits (braids) hanging down one's back
to cover a surface; to spread all over; to blanket; to lay
thousand years; many years
fingers; fingertips; underling; stooge; tool
to cut one's hand; to cut one's connections (with); to break off relations (with); to cut ties (with)
left utterly helpless; have no one to turn to; unapproachable
(this) small amount; (such a) paltry amount; only this much; slightest bit