composed expression; clear face
to pierce; to stab; to sting; to bite; to sew; to stitch; to pole (a boat)
joke; pun; jest; smartly dressed; stylish; fashion-conscious
composition; construction; formation; makeup; structure; organization
monster; monstrosity; giant; influential figure; monsterlike; over-demanding
to have one's heart stop beating; to be shocked; to be staggered
unexpectedly; unusually; considering all that
readiness; preparedness; attitude; kanji "vapor" radical
to bend one's head slightly to one side; to look slightly doubtful
to become twisted; to grow distorted; to get sulky; to sulk; to grow bitter; to become embittered
like this; this sort; this way
to scheme; to plan; to play a trick; to invent; to conspire; to frame up
proficient; skillful; enjoying; satisfaction; satiation
to the core; to the bone; (lit.) to the marrow
(unlikely event of) emergency; the worst(-case scenario); (lit.) 10000 to 1; (if) by some chance; by some possibility; in the unlikely event that
in preparation (for); in case (of); in the lead-up (to)
constraint; reserve; feeling hesitant; being afraid of troubling someone
to run to; to come running; to rush (someplace); to hasten
perfect; complete; thorough; leaving nothing to be desired; more than satisfactory
and; thereupon; because of that
wiles; sinister design; trick; conspiracy; intrigue
permanence; forever unchanging
rainy season (in Japan usu. from early June to mid-July); rain during the rainy season
to shine; to be visible; to be tinged with; to rise (of water levels); to flow in; to be felt (i.e. as an emotion); to come over one
bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla); French hydrangea
purple; violet; Lithospermum erythrorhizon (species of gromwell); type of soy sauce
knowing; (an) acquaintance
to have all the fun; to get the better part of the deal; to get the easy life
entry (on stage); appearance (on screen); entrance; introduction (into a market)
diagonally upward; (going in a) completely unexpected direction (of a story, result, etc.)
idea; conception; way of thinking; approach; expression
Zhou dynasty (China, approx. 1046-256 BCE); Chou dynasty; perimeter; counter for laps or circuits
after (a long process); at the end of; last line (of a renga)
to arrive (at one's destination); to reach; to come to a head; to reach a conclusion; to culminate (in)
in bad shape; not doing well; not going well; out of condition; in poor form
in the morning; during the morning
upmarket residential district; rich neighborhood
slope; incline; hill; milestone; (age) mark