selfish; self-centred; egotistical
as (much) as possible; as (much) as one can; wherever practicable; if possible
valuation; appraisal; evaluation; appreciation; recognition; acknowledgement
to cross one's mind; to be reminded
as one wishes; as one wants; to one's satisfaction
gradually; slowly but steadily
to stretch; to extend; to straighten out; to be flattened; to spread (of paint, cream, etc.); to stretch out (e.g. of a hand); to extend
to wipe; to mop up; to get rid of (an impression, feeling, blemish, etc.); to dispel (e.g. shame); to erase
(eating up) quickly; in no time; quickly (sticking out one's tongue); licking; licking up; (peeling off) in one go
to lick off; to take (something) off by licking
tongue; tongue-like object; clapper (of a bell); talon (of a lock)
with intense concentration; eagerly; intently; devouringly
sound; noise; (musical) note; fame
boo! (sound used to scare someone); ugh (dissatisfaction, aggravation); ulp (consternation)
how many years; how long; what year
swing; shake; appearance; behaviour; pretence; pretense; (a customer) coming to restaurant, ryokan, etc. without a reservation or introduction
pure; genuine; trueborn; natural-born
to slide; to slip off; to get dislocated; to be out of alignment; to get dislodged; to deviate
to play with (a toy, one's hair, etc.); to fiddle with; to toy with (another's emotions, etc.); to trifle with; to do with something as one pleases; to appreciate
incomprehensible; nonsensical; puzzling; I don't get it; I'm confused; I'm lost
looking at from the corner of one's eye; sidelong glance; disregarding; ignoring; faceless ghost with an eye in its rump
nonchalant air; unruffled air
thankfully; fortunately; luckily; thanks to your (his, their, everyone's, etc.) kindness; thanks to your assistance; thanks to your support
to draw back; to sink; to be set back (e.g. from a road); to withdraw (e.g. from the public eye); to retire to (somewhere)
early; a little earlier than usual; a little faster than usual; slightly quicker
repentance; confession; penitence
unworthy; unbecoming; improper
(living) sacrifice; victim; scapegoat
to be solved; to be worked out; to come loose; to come untied; to be removed (of restrictions); to be lifted (e.g. of a ban)
(period of) a year; during the era (of)
individual differences; personal equation
to render futile; to bring to naught; to waste; to not make good use of
is that so?; I see; right; oh
or; either ... or; maybe; perhaps; some ... and others ...; sometimes ... and at other times ...
matter being discussed (e.g. in a private conversation); our side of the story (in contrast to another's version)
erratic; offbeat; wild; unconventional; extraordinary; weird
leap; jump; stepping out into the wider world; becoming active on a wider stage; rapid progress; dramatic development
participation in a war; going to war; taking part in a competition or contest
when it comes to ...; where ... is concerned; if it's the case that ...; if it turns out that ...; if it's true that ...
at a disadvantage; in an unfavourable position; having poor prospects; standing little chance
zealous; enthusiastic; ardent; fervent; keen; eager
to taste; to savor; to appreciate; to enjoy; to experience; to go through