absence; being away from home; house-sitting; house-sitter; being left unattended to (of one's studies, etc.); neglecting
final month of pregnancy; month in which childbirth is due
here I am; I'm home!; presently; right away; right now
returning home; visiting one's parents; new bride's first visit to parents
condition; state; health; state (of health); way; manner
the very image of health itself; picture of health
substitute; replacement; stand-in; proxy; compensation; exchange
to work (for); to be employed (at); to serve (as); to act (as); to conduct a religious service
only; just; since; after; remaining (in a particular state)
it was, wasn't it?; must have been; I think (it was); how might it have been?
destination; place one stays during a trip
expenses; expenditure; outgoings; outlays; costs
processing; dealing with; treatment; disposition; disposal
party; banquet; reception; feast; dinner
introduction; presentation; referral; listing
both countries; Ryōgoku (area of Tokyo)
(abstract) symbol; emblem; representation
by the way; in this connection; incidentally; in passing
high praise; great admiration; rave reviews
recruitment; invitation; raising (funds, donations, etc.); collection; flotation (of shares, loans, etc.)
reliable; trustworthy; hopeful; promising
what's the matter?; what's wrong?
prominent; leading; foremost; distinguished
to meet (by chance); to come across; to meet (e.g. of rivers, highways, etc.); to emerge and engage (an enemy)
surroundings; environs; circumference
undulation; winding; meandering; swell (of waves); surge; billow
expectation; anticipation; prediction; forecast; conjecture
vicissitudes; continual change; transmigration; metempsychosis