to perceive; to sense; to understand; to comprehend; to attain enlightenment
secret manoeuvres (maneuvers); operating behind the scenes
middle of the night; dead of night
guidance; lead; guide; primer; influence; connections
anything and everything; from top to toe; from A to Z
a few years ago; some years back
behind closed doors; behind-the-scenes; (under the veil of) secrecy
to anticipate; to foresee
laying the groundwork; behind-the-scenes maneuvering; consensus-building process; digging around the roots of a tree (before transplanting)
skillful; skilled; proficient; flattery
exchange; interchange; switching; reciprocity; barter; substitution
cruelty; coldheartedness; relentless; ruthless
one's habitual behaviour (behavior)
prediction; prophecy; prognostication
hitting the target; striking home; proving to be right; coming true; being on the mark
brittle; fragile; weak; tender-hearted; sentimental; easily moved
to crumble away; to collapse
easily; readily; quickly; lightly (seasoned food, applied make-up, etc.); plainly; simply
suspicious glance; suspicious look; suspicious expression
notice or order handed down from above; announcement; notification; Edo-period proclamation issued by the shogunate (or a daimyo, etc.) to the concerned parties
of no interest; not interested
to be needed; to be wanted
the right person in the right place
looking on (somebody) as hostile
to the utmost; to the best of one's ability
to deliver; to forward; to send; to report; to notify; to file notice (to the authorities)
restriction; restraint; limitation; limit
ability; capability; skill
to praise; to commend; to compliment; to speak well of; to speak highly of
so much; so often; oh, yes!; that's it; that's right; quite
foe; enemy; resentment; enmity; harm; injury
rich (in flavor, color, smell, etc.); thick; very likely; highly possible; passionate; hot
intent to kill; intent to murder; urge to kill; murderous impulse
to shut oneself in (e.g. one's room); to be confined in; to be filled with (emotion, enthusiasm, etc.); to fill the room (of a gas, smell, etc.); to be heavy with (e.g. smoke); to be muffled (e.g. voice); to hold (a castle, fortress, etc.)
to garnish; to accompany (as a card does a gift); to add to as support; to prop up; to accompany (as an aid, guide, translator, etc.); (arch.) to mimic
pure white; blank (e.g. mind, paper)
obsession; fixation; complaining; criticizing; speciality (e.g. of restaurants)
in one's own way or style
twentieth day of the month; twenty days
many; much; plenty; hardly
detour; circumvention; turning movement
Metropolis (of Tokyo); (Tokyo) Metropolitan District; counter for cities and towns; capital