(raw) ore; unpolished gemstone
when it comes to ...; concerning; where ... are concerned
avarice; greed; covetousness; raga (desire)
the very end; finish; to the very end; to the last; thoroughly
to match (rhythm, speed, etc.); to join together; to unite; to face; to be opposite (someone); to compare; to check with
senior (at work or school); superior; elder; older graduate; progenitor; old-timer
finally; at last; barely; narrowly; gradually; little by little
easy; simple; easygoing; lighthearted; simplistic
lovely; wonderful; nice; great; fantastic; superb
dreary; bleak; monotonous; tasteless; unrefined
not understanding; not knowing
one room apartment; studio apartment
futon; Japanese bedding consisting of a mattress and a duvet; round cushion used for Zen meditation (traditionally made of woven bulrush leaves)
master; expert; mansion; large house; rich family; distinguished family
negotiations; discussions; connection
swing; shake; appearance; behaviour; pretence (pretense); show; going to restaurant, hotel etc. without a reservation or introduction
to stand watch; to stand guard; to look out; to open (one's eyes) wide
on the way; en route; in the middle of; midway; halfway
figure; design; twill weave; pattern of diagonal stripes; style (of writing); figure (of speech); design
back off!; leave me alone!
as ... as one can; as ... as possible; as much as possible
to hug someone close; to hold someone tight; to embrace closely
(non-documentary) television series; TV drama; teledrama; drama; dramatic incident; spectacle
locked up feeling; cooped up feeling; feeling of entrapment; feeling of hopelessness; being in a bind
the literary world; literary circles
door; gate; opening; title page
staff member; employee; worker; personnel