story; tale; talk; discussion
abundant; plentiful; rich; ample
if so; in that case; in that situation
daydream; fantasy; fancy; vision
to stroke; to caress; to brush gently; to comb (hair); to smooth down
soft; tender; gentle; mild; informal; light
alley; alleyway; teahouse garden; path through a gate (or through a garden, etc.)
warm; mild; warm (of a colour); mellow; having enough money
futon; Japanese bedding consisting of a mattress and a duvet; round cushion used for Zen meditation (traditionally made of woven bulrush leaves)
to earn (income); to make (money); to score (points, victory); to gain (time); to work hard (at one's job); to labor
particularly; especially; in particular; expressly
average; mean; balance; equilibrium
study; scholarship; learning; discipline; branch of learning; (a) science
criticizing; lambasting; pointing out faults; calling for a retake; ordering (somebody) to redo something
clumsy; awkward; tactless; awkward (e.g. socially); (arch.) mean; (arch.) cowardly
worth; merit; value; good point; redeeming feature; saving grace
motor nerve; reflexes; athletic ability; motor coordination
stamina; endurance; physical strength; strength of an organization (e.g. profitability, productivity, economic clout, stability, growth potential)
while it may be true that; just because; nevertheless; not necessarily
to come true (of a wish, prayer, etc.); to be realized; to suit (e.g. a purpose); to meet (wishes, ideals, etc.); to match (implies competition); to rival
to become known; to come to light; to be known; to be understood; to clearly not amount to much; to be insignificant
work; labor; achievement; performance; salary; income
to go past; to pass; to pass by
wealthy; rich; affluent; well-off
sidelong glance; short grain (paper)
to be ready; to be prepared; to be in order; to be put in order; to be adjusted; to be regulated
to compare; to make a comparison; to compete; to vie
worn-out; ragged; crumbling; dry and crumbly; falling (in drops or clumps); scattering
ruffled (hair, brush bristles, etc.); unkempt; dishevelled; idling away time; dawdling; dilly-dallying
around there; near there; or thereabouts; or so; such a matter; such a thing
to roll; to tumble; to fall over; to roll over; to lie down; to be scattered about; to be lying around
rubbish; trash; garbage; refuse
to pick up; to adopt (e.g. a proposal); to accept; to take away; to confiscate; to deliver (a baby)
gradually (progress into a state); in sequence; in order; in turn
custom; common practice; habit
to fasten one's eye on (a person); to stare at