to hesitate; to think twice; to flinch; to get cold feet
geisha; Japanese singing and dancing girl; dressed-up beautiful woman
younger scholar; future reference
to jump at the chance; to accept an offer; to show interest in; to accept a proposal
dilettante; lecher; nymphomaniac
smirkingly; smugly; broadly
tough; hard; determined; strong-minded; strong (e.g. sunlight, alcohol); severe
having a loose tongue; being talkative; speaking without thinking; being unable to keep a secret
to lose weight; to become thin; to wither away
to be anxious or concerned about; to ponder (anxiously); to fear; to investigate; to consider; to plan
possible; likely; probable
to rank next to; to come after
piece; slice; cloth; sharpness; agility; counter for scraps, pieces, etc.
bowing out; retiring voluntarily
personnel affairs; human affairs; human resources; HR
one's duty; responsibilities pertaining to one's work
bashful; shameful; ashamed
acting as agent; acting on (someone's) behalf; executing business for
bringing; taking; carrying
strong-willed person; old hand; shrewd rascal; strong man; brave man
sake bottle; tall and slender bottle with a narrow mouth made from ceramic, metal or glass that can be used for sake, shoyu or rice vinegar; turtleneck (sweater); non-swimmer; person who cannot swim
about; roughly; generally; on the whole; completely; quite
aim; goal; prospect; outlook
come; come now; well; who knows; well now; let's see
the Emperor; His Majesty; the government; the authorities; proprietress; hostess
rumor; rumour; gossip; speculation; irresponsible criticism; hearsay
sake cup; cup for alcoholic beverages
to air; to dry; to drain (off); to drink up; to deprive of a role, job, etc.
recommendation; referral; endorsement
some time ago; recently; lately; last (Sunday, etc.); previous
to meet (someone of higher status); (arch.) to be recognized (esp. by someone of higher status); (arch.) to be visible; (arch.) to be seen
secret; private matter; confidential matter
suddenly; at once; considerably; very much; firmly; with an effort
to cover (with something); to put on (e.g. on someone else's head); to plate something (with a metal); to pour or dash a liquid (on something); to charge (a person with a guilt)
most likely contender; prime candidate; top prospect; leading candidate
Osaka-Kobe; Hanshin (company name: railway, dept. store, baseball team, etc.)
to regard (as); to recognize (as); to see as; to pay attention to; to watch
this occasion; at this time; now
equal match; good match; fair match; equal in ability; being a worthy rival
private; confidential; informal; secret; (within the) family circle; (on the) inside
to be lured; to be tempted; to go along with somebody's suggestion; to be talked into doing