to blink (one's eyes) repeatedly
slipping out (a chuckle, giggle); unintentionally (letting out a quiet laugh)
heel (of foot, shoe, stocking, etc.)
to take (seat, position, course, office, etc.); to assume; to ascend (the throne); to accede; to start (on a journey); to commence
now (while the time is ripe); while one still can
Sunday; nth day (of the month); counter for days; Japan
to be deeply impressed (by); to be moved (by); to admire greatly
to be popular; to come into fashion; to be prevalent; to spread widely (e.g. disease); to flourish; to thrive
collar; lapel; neckband; nape of the neck; scruff of the neck
(thick) scarf; muffler; muffler (for a vehicle exhaust); silencer
one's nature; one's feelings; plain; unadorned; mere; poor
on the contrary; far from it; if anything; in fact; instead
to throw away; to cast away; to abandon; to desert; to give up; to resign
in that case; (might not be what was expected or hoped for but) if that's the case
to pull out; to take out; to lead out (e.g. a horse from a stable); to summon (e.g. to court); to withdraw (money); to draw
to warm up to; to get interested in; to get excited by
to let pass; to allow through; to transmit (e.g. light, sound, etc.); to conduct (electricity); to stick through (e.g. a hole); to force through (e.g. an opening); to connect (e.g. two places)
encounter; running into; meeting with (e.g. an accident); being confronted with (e.g. a difficulty)
(non-documentary) television series; TV drama; teledrama; drama; dramatic incident; spectacle
drying machine; dryer; desiccator
change; variation; variety; diversity; inflection; declension
gap; opening; spare moment; interval; unguarded moment; carelessness
to empty; to remove; to move out; to clear out; to be away from (e.g. one's house); to leave (temporarily); to dawn
to look downwards (at); to lower one's gaze; to drop one's eyes
Hercule Poirot's Christmas
masterpiece; masterwork; chef d'oeuvre; (unintentionally) hilarious; absurd (e.g. blunder); outrageous
with a clink; with a soft thud; with a faint snap (e.g. of a book closing); suddenly; all of a sudden
softcover (book); paperback
to leak out; to escape; to find expression; to give vent; to leak out; to be divulged
many; much; plenty; hardly
treasure; treasured item; prized possession
Golden Week; string of public holidays in late April-early May
(opening a door) with a clatter; noisily; (falling) with a clatter; with a crash; (changing) completely; totally
friendly relations; social relations; social life
to decrease (in size or number); to diminish; to abate
buying books and not reading them; stockpiling books; tsundoku; books bought but not read
once and for all; completely; spotlessly
to set one's hand to; to start work on; to embezzle; to use (money obtained in illegal fashion); to have sexual relations; to have an affair
ultimate; final; last; eventual
beautiful; pretty; lovely; sweet; pure (heart, friendship, etc.)
story; tale; narrative; account; fable; legend