underwater; behind closed doors; behind the scenes; below the surface
opposite side; bottom; rear; back; lining; inside; in the shadows
to pull (the puppet) strings; to direct things from behind the scenes; to stretch out (and keep going); to linger on
hmm; well ...; humph; roughly; harshly; violently
important person; influential figure; big shot; big thing; big one; big game
as much as one can; as much as possible; if at all possible
significant; useful; meaningful; worthwhile; valuable; of interest
look here; I say; well; I know what; I'll tell you what; just a minute
Utsunomiya (city in Tochigi)
charming; fascinating; attractive
clearly; plainly; distinctly; decisively; flatly; definitely
insight; discernment; perception; perspicacity; acumen
to turn away (one's eyes, face, etc.); to avert; to displease; to annoy; to miss (the target, ball, etc.)
skin; body (in the context of intimate bodily contact); surface; grain (e.g. of wood); disposition; temperament
bad (taste); unpalatable; poor; unskillful; ugly; unattractive
to stick (to); to cling (to); to stay (e.g. in the office)
vigilantly (watching for an opportunity); eagerly; with an eagle eye
to take measures (in face of events being anticipated); to come to an agreement (in bargaining, etc.); to strike a bargain; to clap one's hands together
conviction; belief; confidence
to show signs of ...; to have the appearance of ...
to lose (money, etc.); to waste one's (time, etc.); to have one's efforts come to naught
special someone; special person; precious one; significant other
to rise to the surface; to come to the front; to emerge (e.g. from obscurity); to stand out (e.g. against a dark background)
excuse me; pardon me; I'm sorry; thank you
suddenly; all of a sudden
to be caught; to be arrested; to hold on to; to grasp; to find (e.g. proof); to get (e.g. a taxi)
restriction; restraint; binding; constraint
there's no (other) way; cannot be helped; unavoidable; it's no use (doing); pointless; hopeless (person)
unprepared; careless; imprudent; indiscreet
one of two (possibilities, alternatives, etc.)
chief; main; principal; major
pinioning; binding arms behind the back
to become fine (of fabric); to be checkmated; to be hard pressed; to be at a loss
threat; bird-scaring device (scarecrow, gun, etc.)
to put into effect; to put into practice
threat; menace; coercion; terrorism
query; interrogation; enquiry; question; inquiry
to pass (the night); to spend; to reveal; to divulge; to prove; to verify
seventh day of the month; seven days
how; in what way; how (much); to what extent; however (much); no matter how
implicitly; indirectly; tacitly; by implication; obscurely
stagnation; tie-up; standstill; congestion; delay; accumulation