just friends; no romantic interest; (lit.) no pulse
quick-witted; bright; rapid thinking
scheming; planning; maneuvering; manoeuvring; plotting
ship; boat; tank; tub; counter for boat-shaped containers (e.g. of sashimi)
halfway (through, complete); midway
distinction; difference (between two things); sense of propriety; proper conduct (according to social or moral norms); accountability; taking clear responsibility (for a fault or failing)
relation; relative; kind; cordial
matchmaker; go-between; intermediary; middleman
to emphasize; to state emphatically; to speak loudly about; to raise one's voice; to lift one's voice
summer festival; summer matsuri
school festival; cultural festival; annual open day school event showcasing student talent
many; plenty; varied; all sorts of; colorful (program); crowded (schedule)
(program of) entertainments; special events; exhibitions; amusements; attractions
ceasing to think; refusing to think critically; giving up thinking (for oneself); going blank; mental block; inability to think clearly
commonplace (of people or animals); ordinary; typical; ubiquitous; run-of-the-mill; found around every corner
blackened; black-painted; black-lacquered; blackened thing
to make; to manufacture; to build; to construct; to prepare; to get ready; to dress (oneself in)
wealthy person; millionaire
one's land; one's estate; domain; demesne
retainer; attendant; escort
drive; trip by car; to (go for a) drive; to go on a trip by car; to drive (e.g. a car); to drive (innovation, change, etc.)
from afar; over a great distance; all the way
in person; personally; directly
rise; increase; income; takings; completion; end; end result (e.g. of crafts)
(private) secretary; treasured book; secret book
(physical) appearance (of a person); one's face and figure
agreement; concurrence; conformance; compliance
compensated dating; dating a sugar daddy
wheel stop; parking block; buffer stop; bumper; (wheel) chock; bollard (for preventing vehicle access)
to stop (moving); to come to a stop; to stop (doing, working, being supplied); to come to a halt; to alight; to perch on
jacket; book jacket; dust cover; CD jacket; record jacket
inviting another to one's home, office, etc.; (lit.) the trouble of coming (going)
talks (i.e. formal discussions); conference; meeting
having a strong alkaline taste; harsh to the taste; excessively strong-willed; fiercely individualistic; strongly idiosyncratic
drawing room; parlour; parlor; reception office
pointing up; pointing upward; upturn; uptrend; upward tendency
parental love; parental affection
indie game; independent video game
gazing steadily at; observing (a person) closely; maintain a watch over
sure to ...; certain to ...; bound to ...; it's natural that ...; it's obvious that ...
worldly wise; sophisticated; street smart; knowledge of the world (acquired in the school of hard knocks); toughness
lineage; stock; descent; strain; blood relationship