ringleader; mastermind; leader (of a plot)
(hand) gesture; movement of the hand
waitress (in a ryokan or traditional restaurant); hostess
to look around; to take a view of
suspicious-looking; shady; questionable; dubious; fishy
any- (e.g. anything, anywhere, anyone); -ever (e.g. whatever, wherever, whenever); even (if it's just ...); at least; either ... or ...
to tuck up (e.g. skirt); to abridge; to cut short
influential person; man of importance
marriage ceremony; wedding
now that; since; so long as; because
information; experience; observation; seeing and hearing
privacy; secrecy; confidentiality
intelligent; wise; sagacious; smart-alecky; cheeky
forever; for good; eternally; as long as one likes; indefinitely; no matter what
bold; shameless; cheeky; brash; impudent
hallway slippers; indoor shoes
to loiter; to putter; to prowl; to be confused from not knowing what to do
warm welcome; friendly reception; hospitality; entertainment
effect; efficacy; validity; potency
to make way for; to make room for; to get out of the way; to pave the way for; to open up opportunity
hard-packed dirt (clay, gravel, etc.) floor; concrete floor
acknowledgement; acknowledgment; recognition; cognition
anyhow; anyway; somehow or other; generally speaking; in any case
to come true (of a wish, prayer, etc.); to be realized; to suit (e.g. a purpose); to meet (wishes, ideals, etc.); to match (implies competition); to rival
wild; in disarray; harum-scarum; hysteric
thank you for your hard work; I appreciate your efforts
discouragement; despondency; dejection; disappointment
action; movements; motions; bearing; behaviour; behavior
bad (taste); unpalatable; poor; unskillful; ugly; unattractive
to light (a candle, lamp, etc.); to turn on (a light)
difficult to ...; hard to ...
lodging host; lodging place
origin; appearance of auspicious omen
condition; term; requirement; qualification; prerequisite
to feign ignorance; to play dumb
will not do; do not; does not
devotion; attachment; infatuation
leisurely post; do-nothing job; sinecure
something broad and flat; common; ordinary; low-ranking employee; freshman
promotion; advancement; rising in rank
identical; same; one and the same; fair; equal treatment; without discrimination
to spread rumors; to spread rumours
tightrope walking; high-wire act; funambulism; treading a tightrope; walking on thin ice; pulling a risky balancing act