wise elder brother; polite reference to another's older brother, or to one's senior
(one's) younger brother; foolish younger brother
heavy (feeling, etc.); gloomy (weather, etc.); oppressive (atmosphere, etc.); stifling; strained
dramatic; exciting; touching; extreme
nothing new; same as always; an old story; nothing new about it; not the first time it has happened
roots of grass; grassroots (e.g. of a political party); rank and file; places hidden from sight
a great deal; very much; a lot; (arch.) with a great amount of effort
(an) adult their age (should, should not, etc.); grown man (woman); person who is old enough (to know better)
sea of blood; pool of blood
several people; some people; a few people; a number of people
personal attendant; valet; maid
appearance; presence; attendance; surrender (e.g. to the police); turning oneself in
to raise someone's position; to raise someone's standing
taking great pains (to do); making every effort; having a lot of trouble (doing); racking one's brains
selection; choice; choosing; picking; election
whitewashing; glossing over; lip service; (arch.) deftly finishing up; (arch.) putting on the final touches
common person; foolish commoner
to install (a king, emperor, etc.); to appoint (to a post); to promote; to assign (to study under)
mediocrity; ordinary ability
sudden windfall; unexpected piece of good luck; (lit.) azuki-covered mochi (fallen) from a shelf
monologue; soliloquy; talking to oneself
lone criminal; sole perpetrator; crime carried out by one person
(doing something) in tears
biological younger brother
inferiority complex; sense of inferiority
error; mistake; fault; sin; wrongdoing; offense
greeting the New Year (on New Year's Eve); welcoming the New Year
to sigh; to breathe a sigh
to be struck by a chance blow; to be embroiled in; to be caught up in; to be dragged into
judicial decision; judgement; judgment; sentence; decree
consequently; as a result