stage; step; level; rank; order; stairs
impossible; unlikely; improbable
vague; desultory; distracted; loose; half-hearted; diffuse
to be fit (for a role); to be qualified (for); to be equal (to a task); to be able to fulfill one's duties (as)
rushing into; breaking into; storming; plunging into (war, etc.); embarking on (a new venture)
right in the midst of; right at the height of
to bring; to take; to bring about
to put on (of clothing); (lit.) to put (arms) through sleeves
wobbling; tottering; wavering (e.g. over a decision); dithering; boiling up; dizzily
to shake; to jolt; to rock (cradle); to blackmail; to extort; to shake down
ghost; specter; spectre; apparition; phantom
bothersome; tiresome; bother to do
backdoor; rear entrance; rear exit; unauthorized; illicit; illegal
key; lock; key (to a problem); clue
beyond expectations; beyond what one expected; not foreseen; exceeding assumptions
counter for occurrences; a time; an instance; inning (baseball); round; episode; chapter
neighborhood; vicinity; environs; approaching
senior high school student
to wait for a long time; to wait and wait; to eagerly await
entrance; entry; gate; approach; mouth
food and drink; eating and drinking
research publication; scholarly publication
simplicity; convenience; easiness; quasi-
victory or defeat; issue (of battle); outcome
position; location; base; point; site
very; extremely; exceedingly; top; highest; best
takoyaki; octopus dumplings
to be widely known; to be famous
to rise (of a building, mountain, etc.); to tower; to soar
signboard; sign; draw; attraction; reputation (of a shop); name
maid cafe; cafe with waitresses dressed in cute maid costumes
merciless; ruthless; pitiless; unfeeling
rumination; regurgitation; chewing the cud; turning over in one's mind; thinking over something; pondering