novel; story; (work of) fiction
to be disordered; to be disarranged; to be discomposed; to be upset; to lapse into chaos (due to war, etc.)
whether one likes it or not; willy-nilly
quick on the uptake; quick to catch on; perceptive; intuitive
more than most people; more than other people; compared with other people; more than others
(a matter of) chance; fortune (of a given time); force of the times
to not understand; to not (quite) know; to be unsure; to be unable to tell
feature; trait; characteristic; peculiarity; distinction
warrior (esp. of military retainers of daimyos in the Edo period); samurai; person with a strong backbone; person that does incredible things; person of considerable talent
ordinary; sensible; commonplace
person of common sense; common sense man
to tease; to banter; to make fun of (someone)
answer; reply; response; answer; solution; result
quick pace; quick steps; quick march; trot (horse gait)
to find oneself in deep trouble; to be deep in the shit
heel (of a shoe); heel; bad guy; player of villain roles
to be hot on a person's heels
to run; to dash; to gallop (on horseback); to canter; (arch.) to advance (against one's enemy); (arch.) to charge (on horseback)
to take the form (of); to assume a shape
therefore; for that reason; so; because of that
morning edition (of a daily newspaper); morning paper
space on a page (e.g. in a newspaper); surface of paper; letter; writings
to expose (a secret, scandal, etc.); to disclose; to uncover; to unmask
to carry off; to run away with; to sweep away; to take entirely for oneself; to monopolize
very important person; super star; super big shot
on a stage; on a platform; on an altar
while studying; presently studying
challenge; defiance; dare; attempt; try
outline; summary; gist; in brief
(apportioning) in small amounts
rapid succession (e.g. questions)
to gaze (at); to stare intently (at); to look fixedly (at); to fascinate; to enchant; to possess
best; extra-fine; superfine; exceptionally; extraordinarily; by far
location of a press conference; press conference room
to look slightly doubtful; to look puzzled; (lit.) to bend one's head slightly to one side
mainly; chiefly; primarily; for the most part
binding; regulation; limit; binding period (e.g. phone or broadband contract); minimum contract term
yakiniku; Japanese dish of grilled meat similar to Korean barbecue; roasted meat; grill
to tie; to bind; to fasten; to restrict (freedom); to tie down (with rules, regulations, etc.); to fetter
secret manoeuvres (maneuvers); operating behind the scenes