to give up (an idea or plan); to abandon; to refrain from (doing); to change one's mind
to have a lot of influence (in); to have clout (with); to be influential; to have contacts (in)
to talk big (about); to talk boastfully (about); to talk overconfidently (about); to make a bold statement (about)
firing; shooting; fire; gunshot; marksmanship
serving (of food); helping; chilled soba served on a dish (often on a wicker basket or in a shallow steaming basket) with dipping sauce
newspaper reporter; print journalist
whichever one chooses; either way
right (in front); directly; properly; normally; honestly; decently
other side; opposite side; other party
dim; vague; indistinct; faint; obscure
(one's) initials; first letter (of a name, sentence, etc.); initial; first
established; existing; accomplished; accepted; completed
implication (in a crime); involvement; (arch.) sitting in a row (in the same seat)
preparatory course; preparatory department
to teach thoroughly; to instill (into); to instil; to inculcate; to drum (into); to drill (into)
I'm sorry to have kept you waiting
Ruskin; Laskin; Luskin; Raskin
library; book collection; paperback book
reserve; spare; treasured; valued; (ace) up one's sleeve; trump
second generation; second; junior
devoting oneself to; concentrating on; being an ardent admirer of; (arch.) tipping over and collapsing
coffee shop; tearoom; coffee lounge; kissaten; traditional type of coffee shop with a retro atmosphere
establishment; opening; setting up; inauguration
direct transmission (of mystery, skill, secret, etc.); initiation
pot (esp. teapot, coffee pot); vacuum bottle; thermos flask
mouthful; morsel; gulp; sip; one word; in short
introduction (from abroad); transmission (through successive generations); being handed down (from generation to generation); being passed down
dregs; sediment; lees (esp. sake); leftovers; by-product; worthless item; junk
to stare back at; to look back at