(in a) long time; long time (ago); while (ago); long ago; long while (ago); (in a) long while
to make noise; to make racket; to rustle; to swoosh; to make merry; to clamor; to clamour
to shake off; to shake free from; to swing completely (bat, club, etc.); to take a full swing; to break off from (pursuer); to pull away
to become desperate; to give in to despair
to whisper; to murmur; to rumor; to rumour
revealing talk; insider talk; inside story
astonishment; amazement; surprise; fright; shock
to ask again; to repeat one's question; to ask back; to ask in return; to counter
to misperceive visually; to misread; to mistake for something or somebody else
father; dad; husband; you; he
elopement; running away with a lover
old-fashioned; archaic; antique; antiquated
main question; real issue at hand
somewhat; to some extent; to some degree; some; part; portion
to grow weak; to become weak; to lose strength
extinction; discontinuation; severance; rupture; to become extinct; to cease to exist
grandmother; old woman; female senior citizen
pleasant; agreeable; comfortable; refreshing
sympathy; compassion; pity
trade; business; commerce; occupation; calling; profession
position; location; base; point; site
to be enrolled (in a college, course of study, etc.); to be a member (of an organization)
management; (executive) staff; leaders; leadership; top brass; upper echelons
the past; bygone days; one's past (that one would prefer remained secret); past (tense); preterit; previous life
arrival in Japan; coming to Japan; visit to Japan
concrete; definite; specific; material; substantial
to weigh on one's mind; to trouble one's heart; to be concerned about; to worry about
to hold a thing in one's arms; to carry in one's arms; to embrace (e.g. a baby); to take upon oneself; to be saddled with
self-deprecation; self-derision; self-mockery; laughing at oneself
colouring; coloring; shade (of colour); flavour; nuance; feel
alone; by oneself; on one's own
closing of a gate; (Edo-period) house confinement
the point just before; the point of doing; the verge of happening
to send (someone) back; to send (someone) home
processing; dealing with; treatment; disposition; disposal
schedule; program; programme; itinerary
dimly; faintly; absentmindedly; vacantly; idly; aimlessly
entirely useless; completely worthless; no no; don't!