signs of defeat; negative turn of events
to compete; to bid; to sell at auction
drama; play; powerful drug
news flash; prompt report; bulletin; quick announcement
aggregate results; totalled results; collected results
opening (in a game of go, chess, etc.); early stages; initial phase; outset
fraction; odd amount; leftover amount
apple (fruit); apple tree (Malus pumila)
ignominious defeat; crushing failure; utterly beaten; overwhelming defeat
to establish a lead; to distinguish (between); to ascertain or tell the difference (between); to discriminate
to gain a victory; to win
how have you been?; (lit.) nothing (untoward) has happened, has it?
related (by blood); blood-related; of the same blood
inspire someone with fresh courage; with redoubled courage
siblings; brothers and sisters
age difference; disparity in age; age gap
pursuit of profits; profit-seeking
public interest; public benefit; public good
modern times; the modern age; this day and age
retirement (from work); leading a quiet life (after retirement); retired person; retiree; surrendering headship of the family (pre-WWII)
cancellation of a contract
private tutor; coach; governess
scholarship; stipend; bursary; student loan
admission of university graduates to an undergraduate program
Kanto region (incl. Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Gunma, Tochigi, Ibaraki and Chiba prefectures)
to pass; to pass on; to give (something) a miss; to cut it out; to knock off (for the day); to let the matter drop
poor-quality; shoddy; unskillful; inexpert; unlucky
National Diet Library; Library of Congress
boorish; inelegant; unpolished; unromantic; tactless
spotlight; public eye; public's attention; goldfish bowl
whim; caprice; whimsy; fickle; moody; uneven temper
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology; MEXT
school record (on a student); transcript (of grades); confidential report