Vocabulary

nothing special; no big deal; doesn't matter

with; by; by means of

to avert one's eyes; to avoid looking straight at something; to cover one's eyes

very small difference (esp. in time); tiny interval

to check someone's temperature

cloudy after fine; sunny then cloudy; clear then cloudy

this is my chance; this is the (opportune) moment; here's an opportunity (that can't be passed up)

better to ask and be embarrassed than not ask and never know

to keep a secret when asked about it, but let it slip inadvertently when chatting on another occasion

to undergo great hardships; to waste away from great effort and worry

situation in which one can move neither forward nor backward; Benkei's last stand

incomprehensible; nonsensical; puzzling; mysterious; meaningless

spending a day's revenue within the day; being liberal with one's money

to be taken aback; to be astonished; to be dumbfounded

see Nikko and die; don't say "wonderful" until you've seen Nikko

well done; good job

does not seem (to be)

to applaud; to cheer (for)

thoughts; thinking

quick-witted; bright; rapid thinking

slow-witted; dull; slow on the uptake

quick-witted; bright; rapid thinking

before I knew it; next thing you know; when I came to; all of a sudden

even (e.g. as a child)

to be absorbed in; to devote oneself (to); to give oneself over (to)

not a pretty sight; appalling; not a good look

to take seriously; to believe in; to fall for

to take out a loan; to get a loan

bold; daring; unflappable

when dealing with urgent business, make use of whoever is handy

in places

to knit one's brows; to frown

to put a stop to; to put a hold on; to put the brakes on; to call a halt to; to block; to shelve

looking on from afar; being a spectator

to understand; to be convinced; to be satisfied

to be trustworthy; to be credible; to be believable

downward spiral; negative spiral; vicious circle

to get (someone's) help; to ask for help

waste of time

this area; around here