after having come this far; now that we've come this far
not writing or contacting for a while; neglecting (failing) to write (call, visit, etc.); long silence
formidable enemy; strong enemy; tough enemy
it's been a long time; long time no see
mostly; nearly; practically; well-nigh; almost invariably; all but
each time; every time; whenever (something happens); on the occasion of
something or other; one thing or another; this or that
Tokyo Metropolis (prefecture); Tokyo metropolitan area
blocking (e.g. the way); obstructing; block (lump of something (usu. square), area of town, etc.); block; physical record (e.g. on magnetic tape); concrete block; blocking (from view, esp. of websites, on social media, etc.)
first; foremost; most important; best; greatest; above all
second day of the month; two days
opponent; adversary; the competition; the other side; one's enemy
special training; intensive training; crash course
to devise; to arrange; to plan; to plot
advertising the excellence of one's wares; boasting; self-advertisement; statement of the virtues of a medicine; description of the virtues of a drug
to sing; to sing (one's praises in a poem, etc.); to compose a poem; to recite a poem
compact disk; CD; cash dispenser; (negotiable) certificate of deposit
lottery; raffle; drawing (of lots)
present; gift; to give a present or gift
(please) try to; (please) look; seeing; looking
application; subscription; entry (competition, raffle, etc.); enlistment
materials; data; document
at once; immediately; without delay; promptly
to cling to ... in tears; to beg ... in tears; to appeal; to throw oneself on someone's mercy
how can (one) do something
to claim victims; to cause casualties
that gentleman; that lady; he; she
recuperation; medical treatment
convening; calling together (e.g. parliament); call-up (for military service)
revenge; making a new attempt where one previously failed; determination of a loser to win the next time
... being the case; (precisely) because ...; as might be expected from ...
rate; ratio; proportion; percentage
weak point; weakness; shortcoming; defect; flaw; sore spot
fear; dread; dismay; terror; horror; scare