vortex; maelstrom; whirlpool; (in the middle of a) scandal; controversy; quarrel
brilliant achievement; spectacular feat; splendid accomplishment; remarkable deed
based on; built on; made from
virginity (of a male); virgin; (Catholic) nun; sister
serious matter; major incident; matter of grave concern; crisis
cheers; applause; ovation; acclamation
incomprehensible; nonsensical; puzzling; I don't get it; I'm confused; I'm lost
right in front; just opposite; under the nose
intuition; instinct; insight; hunch; immediacy
formal dress; ceremonial dress; morning dress; evening dress; dress suit
king; queen; monarch; the Crown (as a focus of authority in the UK, etc.); the throne
solemn (ceremony, atmosphere, etc.); austere; grave; majestic; dignified; stately
Kyoto and vicinity (esp. during Edo period); Kyoto-Osaka region; Kansai region
person concerned; interested party; related party
peace; security; tranquility; tranquillity
to beat time; to mark time
to detain; to check; to restrain
out-of-place; inappropriate; sticking out like a sore thumb
anonymous author; pseudonymous author; writer who conceals his identity
prize-winner; recipient (of a prize, award, etc.)
limousine (stretched car); shuttle bus (usu. to airport)
to be awash with; to teem with; to be full of
to feel oneself indebted to
to be annoying; to be troublesome
not knowing when to give up; being a bad loser; poor at letting things go; unable to accept the inevitable
to set aside; to keep in reserve; to hold on to
change; conversion; transformation; transformation
expression of love; showing love
spectacle; striking display; spectacular (scene, film, etc.); extravaganza; big-budget production
flow of time; flux of time; lapse of time; current of the times; trend of the times
to grow taller (of people)
catastrophe; cataclysm; collapse (of a relationship); breakup; split (friends, lovers, etc.)
great love; passionate affair
conquest; subjugation; overcoming
trouble; problem; mess; difficulty; nuisance
love birds; sickeningly sweet and soppy couple