a little difficult; slightly hard; not feasible; not possible
to reject; to spurn; to turn down; to refuse
to fulfill one's responsibilities
to chuckle to oneself; to gloat (over)
year by year; annually; every year; from year to year
sour (expression); (lit.) as if having swallowed a bitter bug
very much; exceedingly; extremely
coming and going; commuting
to turn back; to go back; to come back; to return; to retrace one's steps
eating only a little; having a small appetite
somewhat below; slightly below
bone; frame; outline; core; backbone; spirit
physical strength; muscle strength
instant noodles sold in a cup; cup noodles
to mix with; to be mixed; to be mingled
clip (paper, surgical, etc.); hairpin; hair slide; curler
first place; head position; leading position
not at all inferior to; rival or surpass; compare favorably (with)
to close (at a certain point); to cut short; to round up (number); to revalue (currency)
careful reading; reading thoroughly; perusal
string instrument; stringed instrument
option; selecting an option; optional extra; individual item; separate item; option
head; chief; merit; strong point; superiority; major
subtext; implication; connotation; implicit meaning; between the lines
please; I beg you; for mercy's sake
power; authority; influence
to save face; to show deference; to make someone look good
suddenly; all of a sudden
with all due respect; I'm sorry, but ...; I'm afraid ...
to prepare; to provide; to set up; to establish; to organize
selection of music; song selection
to find fault (with); to cavil (at); to carp (about); to throw a wet blanket (on); to throw cold water (on); to jinx
to press against; to push against; to force against; to foist on (task, responsibility); to impose (one's will)
Natsume Souseki (1867-1916)
Shiga Naoya (1883.2.20-1971.10.21)
A Dark Night's Passing (novel by Shiga Naoya)
handsome; shapely; clean-cut (features); decent; proper; correct
to see eye to eye; to be on the same wavelength; to talk the same language