sneakily; secretly; stealthily; on the sly
question collection; problem collection; problem set; workbook
to confess; to speak out; to disclose; to tell
assertion; declaration; affirmation
attendance; presence; appearance
group dating; gathering for young people to socialize with the opposite sex
all sorts of; all kinds of
draining basket (traditionally made of bamboo); colander; something full of holes; zaru soba; strong drinker; someone who can drink like a fish
to be completely boiled; to be boiled to a turn
tempura; deep-fried fish and vegetables in a light batter
heap; pile; stack; full measure
choosing; selecting; deciding (on)
light brown; golden brown
mixed vegetable and seafood tempura; something pulled upwards; small castle with a simple earthen-walled moat; turning up a lamp wick
to lessen; to decrease; to diminish
age-appropriate (esp. of clothing, hairstyles)
with a smooth, unhindered motion; speedily and without delay
sky; heaven; God; svarga (heaven-like realm visited as a stage of death and rebirth); deva (divine being of Buddhism); top (of a book); sole (of a Japanese sandal)
zaru soba (soba served on a bamboo draining basket with dipping sauce)
smooth; shiny; slippery; greasy; slurping (noodles)
juice; sap; soup; broth; (dipping) sauce
serious; important; significant; grave; weighty
in the early period (of something); at the beginning
first and foremost; above all; most importantly of all
actual existence; real existence; existing in real life
to cut down; to slay; to truncate; to round down; to omit; to discard
to suck up; to pump up; to siphon off (profits, etc.); to exploit; to take up others' opinions, hopes, etc.
mere consolation; temporary peace of mind
strategic arrangement of go stones; opening moves; preparation; preparatory steps; groundwork
July; seventh month of the lunar calendar
suburb; residential area on the outskirt of a city; commuter belt
housing district; residential district
new town (esp. planned satellite towns of Osaka Prefecture); new housing development
development project (program, programme, plan)
to cut open; to clear (land); to cut (a path, road, etc.); to carve out (a new career, future, etc.); to open up (a new field)
empty lot; vacant plot of land
washing; laundry; relaxing; taking a break
going to work (e.g. in the morning); coming to work
fast-talking; rapid talking
to feel like; to feel inclined to do
significant; useful; meaningful; worthwhile; valuable; of interest
to drive in (e.g. nail, stake); to hammer in; to hit (a ball, etc.); to drive; to fire into (e.g. a crowd); to launch (e.g. missiles); to input (data)
reason for living; something one lives for; purpose in life; raison d'être
to be lazy; to be slack; to feel dull; to feel languid; to feel listless