impossible to understand; impossible to decipher
alien (from another planet)
to turn (one's face) away; to avert (one's eyes)
with a friendly grin; smilingly
fish-shaped pancake filled with bean jam
challenge; defiance; dare; attempt; try
just the other day; quite recently
birth; giving birth; creating; bringing into the world
to raise; to rear; to train; to teach; to promote the growth of; to nurture
not quite (right); not very good; somewhat (lacking)
expressly; especially; taking the trouble (to do); intentionally; deliberately
thank you; thanks; much (thanks); very (sorry); quite; really; somehow
awkward; embarrassed; embarrassing; inconvenient; inopportune; untimely
selfish; self-centred; egotistical
duty; sense of duty; honor; in-law; relation by marriage
to ask again; to repeat one's question; to ask back; to ask in return; to counter
exactly right!; indeed; damn straight
to say in other words; to put another way; to express in different words; to reword; to rephrase
preparatory school (for entrance examinations); cram school; cramming school
to finger; to touch; to make changes to; to tinker with; to dabble in; to do as a hobby
keep ...-ing; have been ...-ing; leaving (something) on; leaving (something) still in use
pupil; student; schoolchild
consultation on career, university, etc. choices
restraint; restriction; fetters; binding; confinement with rope
to knit one's brows (in discomfort, unease, disapproval, etc.); to raise one's eyebrows; to frown; to scowl
to arrive at (after a struggle); to finally reach; to find one's way to; to finally hit on (e.g. an idea)
contradiction; inconsistency
achievement; attainment; accomplishment; realization
final destination; last stop; end; conclusion; goal
strange; odd; unexpected; change; incident; disturbance
trembling (with fear, anger, etc.); shivering (with cold); shaking; quivering
killing a would-be avenger; having the tables turned on someone (e.g. by a challenger); being beaten at one's own game
charred; burnt black; scorched black
to escape death; to be saved from death
grove of miscellaneous trees; copse; coppice; thicket
to bring (someone) back home; to take (someone) back home
loan; lending; favor; favour; creditor; method of lending
final; eventual; ultimate
promise; agreement; arrangement; something expected or predictable (e.g. running gag); typical or clichéd development (in a story); something considered obligatory or guaranteed (in a certain situation)