gently; mildly; leniently; don't be too hard on me (us, them); go easy on me
(sense of) rivalry; competitiveness
to give off sparks; to spark; to scintillate; to have a heated argument; to combat; to do something fiercely
in confusion; in a fluster; in bewilderment; sobbing; tearfully; trembling (voice)
to open one's mouth wide and eat heartily; to gulp down food
lovey-dovey; head-over-heels in love
difficult to ...; hard to ...
(non-documentary) television series; TV drama; teledrama; drama; dramatic incident; spectacle
to deny; to contradict; to negate (esp. a sound); to drown out
even more; still more; further
farce; charade; person who serves tea; short and humorous improvised sketch (originating from Edo-era kabuki)
resigning to another's will; going along without resistance; doing as another wants
predicament; difficult situation
allotment; quota; payment in installments; payment in instalments; hire-purchase
not writing or contacting for a while; neglecting (failing) to write (call, visit, etc.); long silence
dimly; faintly; with a faint light; warmly; friendly; in a heartwarming manner
to close up; to shut up (e.g. behind doors); to cut off (e.g. because a deadline has expired); to close off (e.g. subscription list)
locomotor ataxia; difficulty walking or speaking (due to alcoholism, a stroke, etc.); someone with this problem
deciding match; play-off; runoff
turmoil; chaos; confusion
each; (arch.) you (plural)
episode; anecdote; vignette
something small; something petty; trifle
official business; public business
second day of the month; two days
to go to see (something, someone); to visit
to bear; to stand; to restrain; to control; to forgive; to put up with
self-satisfied look; triumphant look; smug face; shit-eating grin
gloomy (e.g. mood); depressing; irritating; troublesome; heavy (weather); cloudy
tasks; things to do; errand; business (to take care of); affairs; engagement
absence; being away from home; house-sitting; house-sitter; being left unattended to (of one's studies, etc.); neglecting
to be put in order; to be put to rights; to be disposed of; to be solved; to be finished; to be married (off)
unusual; uncommon; extraordinary; out of the ordinary; incomparable; serious
outside of; not covered by
to waste time; to kill time
to make a fresh start; to turn over a new leaf; to call again; to visit again; to come again
Great Leap Forward (failed attempt to industrialize China and increase agricultural production, from 1958-1960); significant breakthrough; great strides
oh; ho; exclamation of surprise, admiration, etc.; hoo (owl call); toot (sound of a flute)
proprietress-to-be of a Japanese inn or restaurant