Secret
How well can you really know someone?
Best friends Kazuki and Akihiko are like brothers. But a murder that takes place at their college sparks a search for answers and a re-examination of the past. A 98-episode mystery that takes up questions of friendship, loyalty, and trust.
Episode 1
Kazuki's sleepwalking is simultaneously interesting and creepy to little sister Haruko.
Notes: Besides a few technical terms, such as the formal word for sleepwalking, this episode should be approachable, featuring interesting vocabulary such as the words and expressions for "officially," "creepy," and "mental," plus several extended grammar discussions.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers |  |
| Standard | Unread | 20772 |
Episode 2
When Kazuki goes away to college, Haruko has mixed feelings.
Notes: This episode contains wonderful vocabulary and expressions such as "to look after someone," "to be approaching (an event or milestone)," and "night after night," along with several extended notes.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 9365 |
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Episode 5
Kazuki's sleepwalking makes him something of a celebrity, but perhaps not in a good way.
Notes: This episode contains lots of good vocabulary, such as the customer-service word for "complaint" and an expression that means "on the first shot," along with a note on a common word for "persuade."
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 2204 |
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Episode 6
On a beautiful morning shortly before graduation, something unexpected happens in the dorm.
Notes: This episode contains beautiful vocabulary, such as the words for "clear autumn/winter skies," and a pattern that means "all that remains is to (verb)."
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 2049 |
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Episode 7
Ichirou investigates the noise from the room next door.
Notes: This heart-pounding episode contains great vocabulary, such as words that mean "with trepidation," "to twist," and "pale as a ghost," along with a discussion of the difference between two words that mean "to shout."
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1952 |
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Episode 8
Ichirou discovers the reason for the scream from the neighboring room.
Notes: This episode contains excellent expressions, such as a pattern for reporting a thought that you now recognize is mistaken, and an expression that means "to snap out of (a reverie, etc)."
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1842 |
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Episode 9
The dorm is a flurry of activity as people attempt to make sense of the situation in Room 303.
Notes: This episode contains fun vocabulary, such as a word that means "to do (to someone's chagrin)," and a sarcastic use of kureru.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1748 |
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Episode 10
A sharp-eyed detective begins the investigation.
Notes: This episode contains great police vocabulary, such as "the right to remain silent," "questioning (in a police context)," "fingerprints," and more, as well as several extended grammar notes, as always.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1701 |
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Episode 12
Ichirou relates his experiences with Akihiko and Kazuki to Detective Saitou.
Notes: This article contains fun vocabulary like words that mean "haunted house" and "to wander around aimlessly," as well as an expression that means "to repay kindness with evil."
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1681 |
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Episode 13
A different student relates what he saw the previous night.
Notes: This episode contains lots of great examples of common speech patterns like contractions and inversions.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1576 |
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Episode 14
Detective Saitou reviews what is known about the case so far.
Notes: This episode provides excellent practice in digesting an information-rich rundown of the facts and includes such crime vocabulary as "time of death," "murder weapon," and more.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1575 |
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Episode 15
Detective Saitou interviews Kazuki's parents in order to learn more about the relationship between Kazuki and Akihiko.
Notes: This episode contains great expressions, such as ones that mean "to say unanimously," and "to lead a life," as well as a pattern for invoking a hypothetical scenario.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1501 |
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Episode 16
Akihiko proposes a trip.
Notes: This episode contains great vocabulary, such as words that mean "national park," "to earn (money, etc)," and "black-and-white."
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1485 |
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Episode 17
Akihiko's teenage years come into focus.
Notes: This episode contains lots of great vocabulary and notes related to high school and college in Japan.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1435 |
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Episode 18
Akihiko talks about his hopes for the future, as Kazuki thinks about his own future.
Notes: This episode contains fun expressions such as "to stuff one's cheeks (with food)" and "to make one's eyes sparkle (with excitement, etc)," as well as a breakdown of a potentially tricky sentence.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1410 |
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Episode 19
The two friends set off on their long-planned trip.
Notes: This episode contains lots of great vocabulary, such as words for "preliminary research," "something heard for the first time," and "easy win," as well as several extended annotations.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1397 |
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Episode 20
On their way to the airport, Kazuki and Akihiko discuss their plans for Yosemite.
Notes: This episode offers great expressions, such as one that means "to be taken aback," as well as extended notes on a few simple-looking words that can be beguiling.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1350 |
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Episode 21
As Kazuki and Akihiko ensure their papers are in order, Kazuki reflects on his growth over the past year.
Notes: This episode contains fun dialog and a common expression that means "it will work out some way or another."
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1336 |
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Episode 22
It's vacation time as the two friends arrive in America.
Notes: This episode contains lots of good travel vocabulary, such as the words for "immigration," "customs," "getting a connecting flight," and more, plus several extended notes.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1318 |
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Episode 23
Kazuki and Akihiko make their way toward Yosemite.
Notes: This episode contains fun vocabulary, such as a word that means "to act jumpy/skittish" and a phrase that allows a speaker to ask with surprise about when something occurred.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1285 |
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Episode 24
The two friends enter Yosemite Valley.
Notes: This episode contains lots of colloquial language, plus fun expressions like "on full display."
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1277 |
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Episode 25
The two friends get some helpful information from the person in charge at their campsite.
Notes: This episode contains a pattern that means "to pretend to do something," and a use of tsumori in which it refers to a conviction or belief.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1255 |
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Episode 26
Akihiko briefs Kazuki on tomorrow's plans as their first day winds to a close.
Notes: This episode contains an interesting use of the word heta, as well as a four-character compound that means "once in a lifetime."
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1218 |
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Episode 27
Cool air in his lungs, Kazuki takes in the night forest.
Notes: This surreal episode contains excellent vocabulary and expressions, such as "before one's very eyes" and "black-and-white."
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1203 |
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Episode 28
As morning arrives, an invigorated Kazuki and Akihiko start their first hike.
Notes: This episode contains lots of great vocabulary and expressions, such as words that mean "covered in (something)," "to pry open," "bed head," and more.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1186 |
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Episode 30
The two discuss plans as they take in the picturesque scenery.
Notes: This episode contains dramatic vocabulary such as the words for "an incredible view," "to tower above," and "to look out over; to survey."
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1152 |
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Episode 34
The group reaches an important milestone on their hike.
Notes: This episode contains lots of evocative vocabulary and expressions that might feel a little challenging, but our notes will help you make sense of it all.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1130 |
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Episode 35
The cables prove to be a challenge for the climbers.
Notes: This exciting episode contains lots of great vocabulary, like expressions for "before one's eyes," "contrary to what one might expect," and a pattern for giving direction.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1083 |
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Episode 36
The climbers deal with a tense situation.
Notes: This heart-pounding episode is filled with excellent vocab and expressions like "one's pupils sway," "one's face is tense," "one's pulse rises," and more.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1073 |
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Episode 38
As he reflects on the trip, Kazuki begins to see his future more clearly.
Notes: This episode contains vocabulary such as "to sprout" and "the bottom (of one's heart, etc)," plus a note on an expression that means that something "must" be so.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1047 |
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Episode 39
Kazuki and Akihiko arrive back home at their dorm.
Notes: This episode contains an example of how "heated questions" can also be used good-naturedly among friends.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1038 |
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Episode 40
Kazuki's family calls to check on him.
Notes: This episode contains interesting notes, such as one on the difference between two common words that mean "to appear," and one on an expression that means "to have a (bad) experience."
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1125 |
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Episode 41
Kazuki's little sister discusses a possible visit.
Notes: This episode contains interesting vocabulary and extensive notes, such as on an expression that means "just as if to say," a word that means "to feel fascination/adoration," and more.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1026 |
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Episode 44
As their second year progresses, a young woman appears in Akihiko's life.
Notes: This episode contains interesting vocabulary and expressions, such as a word that means "outstanding" and one that means that a person's thinking is fast or slow.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1004 |
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Episode 45
Haruko arrives in Tokyo to visit Kazuki and Akihiko.
Notes: This episode contains a note on a disparaging word that is also used among close friends, as well as a note about a facial expression Japanese people make when they are frustrated.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1049 |
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Episode 46
Haruko is consoled by her older brother as she adjusts to the reality before her.
Notes: This episode contains interesting notes, such as one on a pattern that lets you describe your emotional reaction to a situation, and a side note on the kanji behind various Japanese car company names.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1098 |
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Episode 47
As the group tours Tokyo, the conversation turns to Haruko's plans for the future.
Notes: This episode contains notes on creative spellings for a word that means "siblings" as well as an example of kurai marking a trivial degree.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1007 |
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Episode 48
Haruko wraps up her day with her brother and the others.
Notes: This episode contains great vocabulary, such as a memorable one that means "underhanded and scheming" (literally "black-bellied"), as well as an interesting note on the name of a deep red color and its origins.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 997 |
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Episode 49
As time goes by, Kazuki notices a change in the lives of his friends.
Notes: This episode contains interesting notes, such as one about Japanese new-grad hiring culture, as well as an explanation of a suffix that can, confusingly, mean both the beginning and the end of the marked period.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 997 |
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Episode 50
The two friends discuss their emerging career trajectories.
Notes: This episode contains useful patterns, such as one that means "to span (an interval)," a word that means "candidate," and a way to say that you deeply hope for something, useful for making toasts.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1030 |
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Episode 51
A class assignment gives Miki an opportunity to learn more about Akihiko.
Notes: This episode contains vocab and expressions such as "to fall in love with," "to lose someone in death," and "an X-in-training."
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1301 |
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Episode 52
Miki begins to turn up troubling stories about Akihiko's youth.
Notes: This episode demonstrates several useful patterns, such as one for describing sequences of events that happen cyclically together, and another that means "nearly" every day or night.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1171 |
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Episode 53
Miki's search for answers leads her to a couple who knew Akihiko's family years ago.
Notes: This episode demonstrates an easy pattern that means someone cannot bear to continue doing something, as well as one that means "If only such-and-such would happen."
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1081 |
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Episode 54
Miki stumbles upon a unique opportunity to learn more about Akihiko.
Notes: This episode contains great vocab, such as the words for "keep watch on" and "follow."
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1082 |
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Episode 59
Miki goes to greater and greater lengths to learn the truth about Akihiko.
Notes: This episode contains fun vocabulary, like an expression that means "a piece of cake," as well as a reminder about the broad meaning of the word gijutsu.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1004 |
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Episode 60
As Kazuki battles through a challenging night at his part time job, he gets an unexpected phone call.
Notes: This episode contains a note about the deceptively tricky word saki, as well as a breakdown of a long sentence featuring the use of mon to mean "a situation."
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1015 |
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Episode 61
Kazuki enjoys a simple moment on his way home.
Notes: This episode contains a note on the similar suffixes nagara and tsutsu, plus one on a use of -te iku that means that an action is performed on the way to another location.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1102 |
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Episode 62
An unexpected development back at the dorms worries Kazuki.
Notes: This episode contains interesting notes, such as one on a use of tanomu to mean "I'm begging you," and one on the how to ask abbreviated questions, like "To whom?"
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 981 |
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Episode 65
Kazuki gives his recollection of the events of last night to the detectives.
Notes: This episode contains a note on the very useful word nattoku, as well as a breakdown of a sentence that is tricky because it contains both an inversion as well as "placeholder no."
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1016 |
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Episode 66
Kazuki and Akihiko attempt to learn more at the hospital.
Notes: This episode contains a note on a pattern that means "I should have done such-and-such" as well as a detailed breakdown of a tricky sentence.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 972 |
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Episode 69
Kazuki is caught off guard by news from Akihiko.
Notes: This episode contains fun vocabulary and a note on the meaning of a product name.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 967 |
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Episode 73
Akihiko describes how he tried to deal with a difficult period in his life.
Notes: This episode contains a great vocabulary word that means "to pin down (a suspect, the truth, etc)."
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 945 |
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Episode 76
An emotional meeting is relived.
Notes: This episode contains an extended breakdown of the pattern X ni shiro, "even if it is X."
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1161 |
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Episode 82
The police follow up on the evidence.
Notes: This episode contains notes on treating embedded questions as noun phrases, as well as a verb that means "to see through (a scheme, etc.)."
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1147 |
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Episode 83
Kazuki grapples with myriad thoughts as he tries to make sense of what happened.
Notes: This episode contains a note on a special use of tsuku, an older word that means the same thing as mada, and more.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 986 |
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Episode 84
Detective Saitou works to make sense of the various threads of evidence.
Notes: This episode contains great vocabulary words, such as one that means "to sense (something)" and another that means "to get caught or stuck (in one's mind)."
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1055 |
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Episode 85
Detective Saitou shares his thoughts on the case with Kazuki.
Notes: This episode provides a good review of many of the vocabulary words we've encountered in recent episodes.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1009 |
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Episode 86
A possibly related development gets the attention of Detective Saitou. Could this be a break in the case?
Notes: This episode contains notes on a suffix that mean "an attempted crime," one on the difference between two words that mean "right away," and a discussion of a verb that means "to smell."
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 989 |
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Episode 87
The detectives hear from a new witness for the first time.
Notes: This episode contains interesting vocabulary and expressions, such as "to be in one's reach," plus lots of dialog features, such as half-sentences and inversions.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 993 |
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Episode 88
Miki relates a conversation she had while learning more about Akihiko in his hometown.
Notes: This episode contains a note on using ganbaru as a transitive verb, plus interesting vocabulary, such as an expression that means "divine punishment befalls one."
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 849 |
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Episode 91
Miki shares details of one of her last encounters with Akihiko with the detectives.
Notes: This episode contains a special use of the word hitotsu.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 924 |
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Episode 93
Back at his parents' home, Kazuki receives a surprise visit from a familiar face.
Notes: This episode contains great expressions such as one that means that something sounds familiar, and another that means someone "goes to all the trouble" of doing something.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1013 |
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Episode 94
Detective Saitou probes Kazuki's account of the night of the incident.
Notes: This episode contains two instances of a use of naru that means "things work out to a particular outcome/conclusion."
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 841 |
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Episode 96
Kazuki reacts to Detective Saitou.
Notes: This episode illustrates a subtle technique of bringing the reader into the moment.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 836 |
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Episode 97
Kazuki gives an update on where he is in life.
Notes: This episode contains interesting cultural notes about an important part of life.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1006 |
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Episode 98
The conclusion to "Secret."
Notes: This episode contains a note on the use of de after a word like kyou, as well as a note on the verb uramu.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 873 |