in groups of twos and threes; in small groups; (lit.) (in groups of) threes and fives
to prick up one's ears and listen; to listen attentively
quiet; peaceful; tranquil
to overhear; to hear (secondhand); to hear on the grapevine; to know by hearsay
(place) right in the center; dead center; dead centre; exact middle; heart
right beside; close to; nearby
base (of a polygon); bottom (of the social scale); lower levels; base (e.g. of support); foundation
rival; competitor; competition
judgement; judgment; decision; ruling; finding; adjudication
to compete; to contend; to vie; to contest
(slowly and) carefully; without haste; thoroughly; deliberately; closely; meticulously
November; eleventh month of the lunar calendar
as before; as ever; as it was originally
school festival; cultural festival; annual open day school event showcasing student talent
muscle stiffness (esp. in shoulders); lump (in tissue, esp. breast); swelling; lingering discomfort; uneasiness
specialization; specialisation; differentiation
to set up shop; to open a store
conservative without party affiliation
to be in high spirits; to be full of vigor (vigour); to be enthusiastic; to be eager; to stretch to breaking point
cart (esp. a food cart); stall; festival float; portable shrine dedicated to a god and shaped like a house; stage prop fashioned after a large building; framework (of a building)
ice; shaved ice (usually served with flavored simple syrup)
yakisoba; fried noodles, usu. with vegetables and meat
desperation; despair; self-abandonment
to hang; to droop; to give (e.g. lesson, instruction, scolding) (to someone of lower status); to confer; to drip; to ooze; to leave behind (at death)
to set out; to set sail; to embark on (a new venture); to set out (to achieve something); to begin to ride; to lean forward
the vertical; height; front-to-back; length; north-to-south; vertical (relationship)
if I (we, etc.) could; if one were to ... then ... (an unpleasant thing would happen)
endless; boundless; everlasting
beyond; across; the other side; the distance
preparation; arrangements
going into battle; departure for the front; appearing (in a match); starting an election campaign
to put to bed; to let sleep; to lay (something) down; to put on its side; to let (money, goods, etc.) lie idle; to set aside unused
leaving as is; leaving alone; leaving unattended; neglecting; abandoning
betrayer; traitor; turncoat; informer
lecture (esp. special engagement by noted speaker); lecture meeting (event with one or more lectures)
festival; feast; harassment by an Internet pitchfork mob; online shaming; galore (as in "goals galore"); frenzy
interest; eagerness; enthusiasm
to carry (a child) on one's back; to piggyback; (arch.) to take on (a job, responsibility, etc.)
apple (fruit); apple tree (Malus pumila)
(hard) candy; toffee; rice-sugar; sugar made from the starch of rice, potatoes, etc.; amber; yellowish-brown
to crawl out; to creep out; to begin to crawl
freely; frankly; without reserve
having one's fill (of food or drink); eating (drinking) to one's heart's content; enjoying to the full