to look daunted; to look embarrassed; to be disappointed
drop (e.g. of water); drip
to endure; to keep out (e.g. rain); to pull through; to get over; to surpass; to outdo
something or other; this and that; one thing this, another thing that; blah blah blah
to get on (train, plane, bus, ship, etc.); to get in; to get on (e.g. a footstool); to step on; to reach; to go over; to follow
to make a slip of the tongue; to say something inadvertently; to blurt out without thinking
inconsequential; indifferent; not worth worrying about; whatever; whichever; I don't care
writing on someone's behalf
clicking one's tongue; tut-tut; smacking one's lips (with relish)
to steal a glance; to intercept and read (e.g. other people's email)
to wake; to wake up; to become sober; to sober up; to come to one's senses; to be disillusioned
marked; pronounced; showing a strong tendency (towards)
doubtful; questionable; uncertain; disputable; suspicious
unconcernedly; nonchalantly; shamelessly; brazenly
riddle; puzzle; enigma; enigmatic; mysterious
when push comes to shove; when needed; when necessity arises; when the moment arrives
request; favor; favour; reliance; dependence; trust
present day; modern times; recent times; early modern period (in Japan, usu. from the Meiji Restoration until the end of World War II)
to work together (in the same class, workplace, etc.); to be classmates; to sit side by side; (lit.) to put (one's) desks side by side
one's nature; one's destiny; custom; tradition; habit
river; stream; River; the ... river
commuting to school; school commute
office worker; company employee; company man; salaryman (stereotypical Japanese office worker)
department (faculty) of literature
to bend one's head slightly to one side; to look slightly doubtful
to ask again; to repeat one's question; to ask back; to ask in return; to counter
diving; diver; unlicensed (doctor, driver, etc.); unregistered; outsider; stranger
well-known only to those in the know; be well-known but to the few; highly regarded by a select few
sentence; composition; text; the literary arts (as opposed to the military arts); academia; statement
working adult; full-fledged member of society
considerably; fairly; quite
overly serious; serious to a fault; humorless
busy; occupied; hectic; restless; hurried; fidgety
indispensable; essential; requisite; required; compulsory; necessary
short pause; short interval
to ask; to inquire; to blame (someone) for; to accuse of; to care about; to regard as important
to twist; to wrench; to puzzle over; to defeat easily