synchronization; synchronized swimming
rate; ratio; proportion; percentage
lip-syncing; lip-synching
finding employment; getting a job
leaving school during a term
modern times; the modern age; this day and age
academic meritocracy; education-conscious society; society that places (excessive) emphasis on academic records
guarantee; security; assurance; pledge; warranty
uninterested; unconcerned; plain; light; flowing gently
to take off one's glasses
to wriggle; to squirm; to crawl like a worm
essence; true nature; substance; reality
appearing and disappearing; slipping in and out of view
with a shiver (down one's spine); with a sudden chill
member of the Diet; Diet member; member of parliament; MP
shuddering; shivering; trembling; being horrified; being disgusted
(a) weakness; shortcoming; failing; sore point
to have (someone) by the short hairs; to have something on (someone)
order (for an item); request; demand; condition
year; age; years; past one's prime; old age
20 years old; (arch.) twenty
to fabricate; to invent; to make up (a story); to cobble up; to put together in a hurry
to come out all right; to take care of itself; to be OK
to disappear (of people or animals); to go (away); to leave; to no longer exist
to start a journey; to embark on a trip; to set forth; to hit the trail
irresponsible; perfunctory; lukewarm; half-baked; reasonable; moderate
discussion; talk; tête-à-tête; conference
this is why; this means; it is the case that
hit; success; guess; prediction; affability; friendliness; sensation
foreshadowing; preparation; precautionary measures
change of attitude (stance, position); lightness of foot; ability to dodge out of the way of an attack
to melt into; to dissolve into; to merge into; to blend into (surroundings); to fit in; to adapt to
to erase; to drown out (e.g. a voice); to make disappear
light; illumination; glow; lamp; light
to be lucky; to be in luck; to be attached; to have; to be included
living room (Western style); sitting room
party (gathering, celebration, etc.); party (group, political, etc.)
in various ways; in all sorts of ways; at every opportunity; whenever there is a chance
family; members of a family
to cross (legs or arms); to link (arms); to put together; to construct; to braid; to plait; to grapple
warm and snug; soft and comfortable