a rival horse or candidate
guilty (feeling, conscience, look, etc.); (feeling) uneasy
smoothly; easily; readily
charmless; lacking charm; not adorable; unendearing; not very nice at all
eldest daughter; first-born daughter
head; chief; top student; head of the class; top seat; first desk (in orchestra)
success; passing (e.g. exam); eligibility
first; preliminary; primary (sources, industry, etc.); original; linear (function, equation); first-order
second; secondary; quadratic (function, equation, etc.); second-order
on and after; as from; hereafter; thereafter; since
student preparing for or taking examinations (usu. entrance exams); test-taker
to sit for an examination
means of making contact; intermediary; go-between; connections; influence; pull
kind offices; services; through the good offices of; intercession; mediation
leisurely post; do-nothing job; sinecure
one's post; place of work; workplace
rule; regulation; settlement; conclusion; habit; custom
cup of sake used to drink to the establishment of a partnership, commitment to marriage, etc.; nuptial cup of sake
to get dressed up; to treat oneself
sign of life; human presence; humanity; humaneness
wiles; sinister design; trick; conspiracy; intrigue
fruit wine (e.g. cider, wine, plum liquor); fruit liqueur
suitable; appropriate; becoming; fitting
to take (someone) to one place after another (forcibly); to drag (someone) around
The End; Finis; completion; conclusion; providing fully
cluster of trees; grove; thicket
secret intention; ulterior motive; kanji "heart" radical at bottom
cooperation; collaboration
to maintain; to continue to have
if there is a chance; if possible; if circumstances permit; if things go well; if luck is on my side
blockage; blockade; blocking up; stoppage; obstruction; occlusion
bright light; hope; bright future; light emanating from a buddha or bodhisattva, symbolizing their wisdom and compassion
selfish; self-centred; egotistical
bearer; carrier; person bearing responsibility; person in charge; supporter
to let go of; to release; to part with (e.g. a possession); to relinquish; to send away (e.g. one's child); to let go
separation; farewell; parting