a short time ago; a while ago; for some time
focusing on only one thing; obsessively; intensely; selfish; self-serving
self-satisfaction; (self-)complacency; smugness
tough; strong; stiff; tenacious
bamboo (any grass of subfamily Bambusoideae); middle (of a three-tier ranking system)
to bring into the open; to reveal; to uncover (e.g. evidence); to bring to light
to stoop; to bend (e.g. one's knees)
to blow against; to spray (paint, etc.) (onto a surface)
quiet conversation; gossiping; idle talk
eighth day of the month; eight days
ninth day of the month; nine days
term-end exam; end-of-term test; finals
accelerated; accelerating; gathering speed
(non-documentary) television series; teledrama; television drama; television play; video drama
to be performed (on the stage); to be in the limelight
battle for Christmas sales
being filled with; being full of; permeation
winners (those who have succeeded socially, economically, etc.)
losers (those who have 'failed' socially, economically, etc.)
student preparing for or taking examinations (usu. entrance exams); test-taker
sweetheart; person in one's thoughts (heart)
wise saying; famous saying
dark blue ground; dark blue cloth
to comb upwards; to brush up (a loose strand of hair); to turn up a lamp wick
union; unity; bundling; binding; (arch.) putting on (clothes, armour, etc.)
bachelorhood; spinsterhood; celibacy; living apart from one's family; living alone; person who lives alone
handsome man; looker; good guy; great guy; influential person (esp. in the yakuza); sumo wrestler
to gain experience; to accumulate experiences
what little ... one has; tiny amount of; paltry
as usual; as is one's habit
lifeboat; friend in need; helping hand; timely help
to trick; to cheat; to deceive; to seduce
to knock together; to strike against each other; to arrange (e.g. a meeting); to discuss (in advance)
getting carried away; going too far; overdoing