for better or worse; for good and bad; regardless of merit; both good and bad
rising; developing; emergent; burgeoning; new
commuter town; bedroom community; dormitory town
reinforcement; strengthening
old; former; the old; old things; old times; bygone days
to poke one's nose into another's affairs; to have a hand in; to take a (deep) interest in; to poke one's head (into a room)
newcomer; new figure; new member; modern humans (from Cro-Magnon man onwards); Homo sapiens
diligent; absorbed (in something)
arteriosclerosis; hardening of the arteries; loss of flexibility (in thinking, systems, etc.); inflexibility; institutional rigidity
this way and that; (by) various means; (by) every means
becoming active; increase in activity
to take on a role; to take part
ready wit; quick wits; resourcefulness; raising (money)
preeminence; excellence; superiority; transcendence
fashion (current) of the times; general drift of affairs
popular name; common name; given name
only recently; just of late
possessing (what is required); having; fulfilling (conditions); satisfying (requisites); being endowed with
to swell (out); to expand; to be inflated; to get cross; to get sulky; to pout
to be prolonged; to drag on; to take a long time; to persist; to linger
to make (tea, coffee, etc.); to brew a beverage (with hot water)
buying; shopping; buyer; purchase
grumbling; muttering; complaining; moaning
stumbling; failure; misstep; setback
once in a lifetime; once in one's life
office work; clerical work; administration; business; affairs
slot (e.g. dispensing tickets); outlet
courage; bravery; pluck; nerve; grit; guts
charm; attractiveness; courtesy; ingratiating behaviour; entertainment; amusement
preemptive strike; preemptive attack; first strike
the very start; the very beginning
(not) in any way; in no way; at all; terribly; awfully; hopelessly
pleasant smell; aroma; fragrance; pleasant-smelling vegetation
Yamaguchi (city, prefecture)
(preliminary) meeting; face-to-face introduction; costarring; appearing together; match-up; pairing
grave; solemn; serious; harsh (e.g. truth); hard; strict
traditional Japanese engagement ceremony involving ritual gift exchange between families; ceremonial engagement gifts
shield; buckler; escutcheon; pretext; excuse; grounds (for)