designated school; priority admission school (for a university)
red-ink stick; red and black
winning by an ippon; winning by a point
affixing; pasting; sticking
softy; pushover; wishy-washy person
the real pleasure (of something); the real thrill; flavour of ghee; (fig.) delicious taste; Buddha's gracious teachings
perseverance makes one stronger; slow but steady wins the race
bedroom; bills receivable; breeder reactor
breath of fresh air; cool (refreshing) breeze
brief review; brief comment
final selection (e.g. of applicants); final screening; shortlisting
ascent; climbing; ascending (path); upbound (esp. toward Tokyo)
chef (esp. of high-end Japanese cuisine); cook; area of a kitchen that contains the chopping board
team competition; team game
no big deal; no match; not worth worrying about
apricot (Prunus armeniaca)
manuscript; version; draft
favorite (top choice) for the championship (favourite); best bet for the title
remarkably; markedly; rapidly; sound of breaking or creaking
to be stubborn; to be obstinate; to be perverse; to not give in
not entirely wrong but not entirely right; so-so; average
how; in what way; in what manner
clearing one's throat; cough
Kanagawa prefecture (Kanto area)
to long for; to yearn after; to admire; to be attracted by
distance; journey; itinerary; path (e.g. to one's goal); way; process
hi!; yo!; hey man!; hey dude!
completion; finish; workmanship; result; outcome
to use up (all one's strength, ideas, etc.); to exert oneself; to do one's best