to gain a victory; to win
how have you been?; (lit.) nothing (untoward) has happened, has it?
related (by blood); blood-related; of the same blood
inspire someone with fresh courage; with redoubled courage
siblings; brothers and sisters
age difference; disparity in age; age gap
pursuit of profits; profit-seeking
but; however; although; though
public interest; public benefit; public good
modern times; the modern age; this day and age
retirement (from work); leading a quiet life (after retirement); retired person; retiree; surrendering headship of the family (pre-WWII)
cancellation of a contract
(home) tutor; private tutor; private teacher
scholarship; stipend; bursary; student loan
admission of university graduates to an undergraduate program
Kanto region (incl. Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Gunma, Tochigi, Ibaraki and Chiba prefectures)
to pass; to pass on; to give (something) a miss; to cut it out; to knock off (for the day); to let the matter drop
poor-quality; shoddy; unskillful; inexpert; unlucky
National Diet Library; Library of Congress
boorish; inelegant; unpolished; unromantic; tactless
spotlight; public eye; public's attention; goldfish bowl
whim; caprice; fancy; capricious; fickle; whimsical
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology; MEXT
school record (on a student); transcript (of grades); confidential report
command; direction; supervision; conducting (an orchestra, choir, etc.)
to take a fancy to something; to be moved; to feel inclined to
this and that; various things
take a chance; go for broke; nothing ventured, nothing gained
to begin some form of lifestyle
generally; in the main; briefly (look over, explain, etc.); roughly; more or less
elder sister; effeminate man
every evening; night after night
to cry in bed; to cry oneself to sleep; to weep secretly in bed; (lit.) to moisten one's pillow (with one's tears)
dead center; (right in the) middle; midst; midst (e.g. of a storm); heyday; (the) height (e.g. of a debate)
evil; wickedness; (role of) the villain (in theatre, etc.); the bad guy
to be wounded; to get injured; to get hurt feelings; to get damaged; to get chipped
type of cleromancy divination (described in the Book of Changes) performed with long sticks; The Book of Changes; Yijing; I Ching