negotiations; bargaining; discussions; connection; relationship; relations
backing; support; backer; shield that protects one's back
instead of; in place of; as a substitute for; in exchange for; in return for; to make up for
flight; running away; absconding; elopement
to lose; to miss (a chance, opportunity); to lose (a loved one); to be bereaved of; to concede (goals, points, etc.)
influence; power; might; influence (of stones)
if anything; if pushed I'd say; if I had to say
village; hamlet; settlement
fate; destiny (esp. as a mysterious force that binds two people together); relationship (e.g. between two people); bond; family ties; affinity; opportunity
bang; bam; noontime signal gun (carried out early Meiji to Taishō); noon gun; last round in a game of 12 rounds; precisely
just before; on the verge of; on the brink of; just in front of; just ahead of
defense; defence; safeguard; protection
that's the way it is; such is life
whatever way; any way; either way; one way or the other
no!; no no!; no, not at all
(theatrical) fighting scene
rearguard; rear guard; back (player)
called; known as; that; to say
proximity; nearness; being nearby; approaching; drawing near; coming close
to get complicated; to grow worse; to turn sour
development; growth; development (of a situation, story, etc.); advancement; playing around (sexually; esp. of a male homosexual); having an active sex life
to be in the firing line; to bear the brunt of (an attack, criticism, etc.); to face (e.g. questioning)
actual place; actual location; the spot; place where one is currently living
to take (someone to a place); to take (someone) with one; to take along; to lead away
indispensable; essential; requisite; required; compulsory; necessary
to call (someone) to come; to call for; to summon; to always call (someone by a name); to become used to calling
than; rather than; instead of; from; since; except
to be too numerous; to be too much
defense; defence; fielding
eastern direction; the Orient; eastern fighter in a match (e.g. sumo wrestling)
one's origin (e.g. city, country, parentage, school)
shield; buckler; escutcheon; pretext; excuse; grounds (for)
attack; assault; criticism; censure; cyber attack (e.g. DDoS)
breath; breathing; bracelet
to defend against; to protect against; to prevent; to avert; to avoid
competent; suitable; qualified
to frown (on); to be grim-faced; to look sullen
to pass; to elapse; to pass through; to go through; to experience; to go through