pinch; tough spot; bind; clothespin; clothes peg
matter; affair; counter for (received) emails, text messages, voicemail messages, etc.; counter for accounts (on a website, email service, etc.)
relief; mitigation; alleviation; relaxation (of restrictions, tensions, etc.); easing; softening
to anticipate; to expect; to place confidence in; to put trust in; to find promising; to see good prospects (in)
to serve as; to act as; to fill (the position of); to play the role of; to be in charge of; to hold (a position)
rearguard; rear guard; back (player)
(practical) experience; personal experience; hands-on experience; first-hand experience
brightness; brilliance; brilliancy; radiance; glitter
proficient; skilled; skillful; enjoying to the full; full satisfaction; being satiated (with)
suddenly; in a flash; quickly; conspicuously; prominently; showily
uncertain; doubtful; unreliable; unsteady; unclear; vague
foreigner; foreign citizen; foreign national; alien; non-Japanese
nakedness; nudity; bareness; nakedness; being penniless; concealing nothing
hah (derisively); pooh; pfft (of something disappearing); poof; huff; puff
not feeling like doing ...; having no mind to ...; being in no mood for ...; having no intention of ...
latest; newest; late-breaking (news)
change to ...; becoming ...; making into ...; -ization; -ification
to exchange glances; to look at each other; to postpone; to put off; to contrast; to compare
raising the curtain; opening (of an event); start; beginning
as soon as ...; just after ...; immediately after ...; hurriedly; in haste; quickly
to take the lead; to lead a group; to be in the vanguard
obvious (e.g. of a lie); transparent
on the least pretext; at every opportunity; whenever there is a chance; at the drop of a hat
treasure chest; strongbox
to look up at; to raise one's eyes; to look up to; to admire; to respect
crisp (not moist or juicy); crunchy; crunching sound (of walking on snow, frost, sand, etc.); doing skillfully and efficiently; doing quickly; (arch.) sound of pouring liquid
solid; robust; tight; taut; shrewd; calculating
to keep (e.g. the lead); to maintain (a standard, situation, etc.); to put aside (for someone); to save (e.g. a seat); to keep (the ball; in soccer, rugby, etc.); to retain possession
aria; singing; chanting; reciting (e.g. a spell)
to express (orally); to put into words; to say out loud
wind; breeze; manner; behaviour; cold; influenza
side; flank; profile; aspect; dimension
positioning; getting a position; taking a position
full of openings; half empty; (cutting) sharply; cleanly; (arch.) (progressing) smoothly
to raise (a sword, fist, etc.); to lift; to throw up; to fling up; to swing up
pursuit (of a fleeing enemy); chase; follow-up attack
half-way up a slope or stairway; landing; center of three (horizontal) columns; middle guard position (of a sword in kendo, etc.)
close combat; close(-quarter) fighting; in-fighting
liking both alcohol and sweets; person who likes both liquor and sweets; bisexuality; player who can play as both pitcher and fielder; dual sword wielding; two-sword fencing