large; big; older; senior; final; ultimate
decline; fall; decay; withering
National Defense Academy (Japan); NDA
senior (at work or school); superior; elder; older graduate; progenitor; old-timer
head; chief; top student; head of the class; top seat; first desk (in orchestra)
graduation; completion (of a course); moving on (from); outgrowing (something); leaving (a group, company, etc.)
invitation; introduction; temptation
half in doubt; half-convinced; dubious; incredulous
bang on the money; spot on; right answer
at a young age; while still young
the strait gate (in the Bible); the narrow gate; high barrier (to enter a highly competitive school, company, etc.); difficult hurdle; difficulty
Saint; St.; S.; sacred; holy; pure
government service; the bureaucracy
selection (esp. from many people for an important job position); exceptional promotion
mediation; good offices; influential person; person of influence; (arch.) eloquence; (arch.) eloquent person
shrine; palace; imperial residence; Imperial prince; Imperial princess; headboard with built-in shelves, drawers, etc.
service; duty; business; Buddhist religious services
to domineer; to throw one's weight around; to lord it (over)
comfort; ease; easy; simple; (economically) comfortable; raku pottery
high salary earner; high income earner; well-paid employee; highly-paid; in the top salary bracket
leisure time; idle moment
civilian clothes; plain clothes; mufti; plainclothes police officer
to go out (e.g. on an excursion or outing); to leave; to depart; to be about to leave; to be just going out
target practice; marksmanship; target shooting (e.g. at a fair)
to tie; to restrain; to confine; to bind; to fasten
beautification; glorification
cleaning; clean-up; garbage collection; scavenging
to take on a role; to take part
pride; self-confidence; thinking highly of oneself; being proud of one's abilities or achievements
to talk of one's dreams (esp. unrealistic, far-fetched ones); to dream out loud
is something that; is that which
to recommend (someone to do); to advise; to recommend (a book, someone for a position, etc.); to suggest; to offer (a drink, cigarette, seat, etc.)
future; possible; potential; prospective