the skin (of a human being); warmth of the skin; body warmth
time passes; the days and months go by; the months roll on
to wail; to bawl; to cry loudly; to shout (while crying)
to crush; to squash; to flatten; to quash (a plan, opposition, etc.); to crush; to suppress
mock exam; practice exam; practice test
preparatory school (for entrance examinations); cram school; cramming school
to thrust at someone (e.g. a weapon); to point (a gun, knife, etc.) at; to hold up threateningly to (someone's face); to present forcefully (demand, document, etc.); to confront someone with (evidence, facts, etc.); to force upon
innermost depths of one's heart
ugly; unattractive; bad-looking; unsightly; unseemly; disgraceful
kneading; gloss; paste (e.g. bean paste, mustard paste); parading of portable shrines and floats at festivals
scholarship; stipend; bursary; student loan
contrivance; managing (to raise money); one's financial condition
brilliant; glorious; glittering; bright; splendid (e.g. achievement, success); promising (e.g. future)
unqualified; without qualifications
beginning of the year; early in the New Year
disillusionment; disillusion; disenchantment
absurd; foolish; stupid; silly; nonsense; ludicrous
all; wholly; entirely; completely; without exception
academic background; academic credentials; academic record
to achieve results; to be successful (in a venture, etc.)
(facial) expression (esp. fierce, fearless, sinister, etc.); look
old tale; folk tale; legend; reminiscence
to manufacture; to produce; to raise (crops); to invent; to dream up; to create
repetition; repeat; reiteration; repeatedly; again and again; continually
occupation; profession; job; vocation; career; trade
to await; to wait for; to expect
to break down due to overwork; to try so hard that the situation gets worse
to agree with one; to suit one; to feel comfortable (in, with); (lit.) the water agrees with one
advice (to a superior); counsel; proposal; suggestion; recommendation
nothing but (this); no more than (this); none other than
to tuck up (a kimono skirt); to tuck in; to make short (a story, explanation, etc.); to cut short; to abridge
very thin; flimsy; cheap; shallow
to open up to someone else; to divulge one's true feelings; to be openhearted
to struggle; to writhe; to wriggle; to act frantically; to make desperate efforts
to offer (a suggestion, etc.); to propose (an idea, etc.); to approach with (a proposal, etc.)
temporary; ad hoc; makeshift; stopgap
ingenious; skillful; clever; deft; sophisticated
to slam into; to crash into; to run into; to face (trouble, difficulties, etc.); to confront