The end Part IV

The loud, boisterous sound of a long drum at the front of the shop made the young employees run hurriedly outside to look. Kita and Nara, who had heard it, cried out after them.

A performance troupe comprised nine elephants and a procession of long drums led the way for a cavalcade of thirty cars. It was a bridal procession with the Minister of Tourism and Sports as the senior representative[1] on the groom’s side for the official proposal ceremony, followed by the groom and his mother. There were also many other senior officials from the ministry taking part in the procession, seated on the backs of the elephants.

Once Kita and Nara saw their father on the back of an elephant, they cried out, wanting to go up as well. They jumped up and down, crying out, “Papa! Papa!”