to be absorbed in reading
passing through without stopping; passing by
excursion; field trip; school trip
ryokan; traditional inn; Japanese-style lodging, usu. professionally-run
funny story; funny anecdote
understanding; comprehension; grasp; perception; appreciation; mastery (of an art or skill)
to bring up a subject; to touch on a matter
to give and take; to make mutual concessions; to compromise
succession; continuation; series; sequence
red string of fate; in Chinese-Japanese folklore, fated lovers were said to be joined by an unseen red string, tied around one little finger of each
courtship behavior (animals)
polite; respectful; reverent
likability; favorability; popularity
stiff (atmosphere, manner, etc.); cold; unfriendly; thin and bony; scrawny
one's original family name; maiden name
suitable; appropriate; becoming; fitting
to loiter; to putter; to prowl; to wander about; to roam about; to knock around
to miss a chance; to fail to do
little-known good place; good out-of-the-way place; well-kept secret place; hole-in-the-wall
lock-opening; lock-picking
being used to ...; getting used to ...; being accustomed to; being conditioned to; be familiar with
to pop off; to pop out; to fly off; to shoot off; to burst open
creation; production; creative work (novel, film, etc.); fabrication; fiction; invention
expertise; experience; knowledge
tsk tsk; oh-oh; huh; what's that?
to blow off (strongly); to blow away; to drive away (e.g. one's worries); to dispel; to do at great speed (e.g. drive a car); to carry out (a task) very quickly
menial; meanness; servility; abject
to have a meal together; to sit at table
one's post; one's station; department; bureau; section
presence; sitting with; being with
power of expression; expressiveness; expressive power
time; thyme; time out (e.g. in sport)
to be based on; to take into account; to build upon; to have one's feet firmly planted on; to plant oneself on
in contrast to (one's, its) appearance
thank you for the meal; that was a delicious meal; what a wonderful meal