staunch; hardcore; dyed-in-the-wool; metal reinforcement
good-naturedness; good-natured person; credulous person; easy mark
to come to the point; to get straight to the point; to speak frankly; to speak plainly; to talk straight
good; goodness; right; virtue
just kidding; not!; ersatz; imitation; phony
dry; dry (tone, humour, etc.); unemotional; dry (of alcohol)
reversal; return; return gift; return favour (favor); barb (on a fishing hook); mixture of soy sauce, sugar and mirin
selfish; egoistic; self-serving; self-interested
direction; orientation; suited to; suitable for; tendency; inclination
direct connection; direct link
consideration; guess; conjecture; judgment; judgement
to be lucky; to be in luck; to be attached; to have; to be included
to see someone off (at a station, an airport, etc.); to escort (e.g. home); to follow something with one's eyes until it is out of sight; to let pass; to pass up (an opportunity etc.); to shelve (a plan, deliberation on a bill, etc.); to postpone
qualifications; requirements; capabilities
selection; choice; option
slipping out (a chuckle, giggle); unintentionally (letting out a quiet laugh)
inorganic matter; mineral matter; cold; inhuman; robotic
undisputed; entirely; perfect
hesitation; bewilderment; illusion; delusion; inability to reach enlightenment
query; interrogation; enquiry; question; inquiry
cannot be avoided (of a problem, etc.); unavoidable; inevitable
villain; baddie; the villain's part
to volunteer; to undertake a challenge
through; throughout; through (the good offices of); by way of
to torment; to torture; to harass
to come to like; to become fond of; to fall in love
to throw at; to turn; to raise