Dreaming Alone
-Chapter 3-
Pleading For Freedom

Julia edged into the living room which was quite dainty, everything matched and not a single object was out of place. She shifted her glance from the floor to the small Velcro cushions with beautiful textured patterns (Her dad's, from Japan) which blended within the room. She finally plucked up her courage and asked her mother for permission.

"Europe?" Michelle said with a too comfortable smile.

"Yes," Julia replied feeling embarrassed.

"With friends?" Michelle was still smiling too comfortably.

"Yes," Julia responded fiddling with her fingers.

"Just for 1 month?" Michelle still had that smile plastered onto her face.

"Yes," Julia replied biting her lip while smiling as well.

"Very good!" Michelle said smiling calmly.

Julia laughed appreciatively.

"Julia have you gone completely mad!" Michelle frowned, "Get you're brain checked out, talking about touring Europe? If you're father hears of it he'll drive the whole house mad! Anyway, a young girl should not be out alone."

"Mother, how will I be alone? I'll have all my friends with me," Julia protested, feeling anger inside her a bit, why was Xiaoyu Ling so right?

"You are wasting you're time arguing with me, I have no problem whatsoever, it's you're father who you need to ask for permission, when he comes home ask him!" Michelle patted Julia on the head.

"Oh god, please keep him in a good mood!" Julia wished for the second time.
***

Yuushi closed the staff room door in his peaceful convenient store. He looked around the endless rows and stacks of a huge variety of food. Inspecting it with a proud smile one last time he walked around.

"Erm excuse me? Can I have some beer please?" Asked a not-so young man, wearing a b-cap backwards with his full-sleeved shirt open, revealing a plain white t-shirt with the script 'Stay Cool' on it.

"Sorry, the store is closed," Yuushi replied with utter distaste as he soon realised he was Japanese. He was even more disgusted at the fact that he had no cultural sense or any sort of respect, the man smiled still chewing gum, he looked like a cow eating grass.

"Come on, man! It's only beer!" He said calmly patting him on the shoulder, unaware of Yuushi's death stare.

Yuushi pointed a warning finger. "I told you once that the store is closed!"

"Ok, relax!" The man said choking on his gum.

"Get out!" Yuushi said motioning with his finger.
***
Jin and Paul were playing a tune on Jin's new sports car, blazing scarlet, most people admired it but Jin, who always got what he wanted never thought it too special, he had got it for his 18th birthday.

"Did you get the beer?" Paul asked eagerly.

"Er...no!" replied Law.

"Eh, duffer! Can't do anything right!" Paul said grudgingly.

"Sorry, but the man in their is a right grouch!" Law explained.

"Ugh," Jin jumped out of the car smacked a friendly smack on Law's head causing his b-cap to fall off.

As Yuushi was locking the store, Jin jumped behind him, doing a little jig. But when Yuushi turned around, Jin remained a posture of a person who is extremely innocent, his hands together and bowed.

"Sir, please may I have some aspirin?" Jin asked in a sadistic tone.

"Sorry, the store is closed, " Yuushi replied gruffly.

"Sir please!" Jin croaked, sniffing slightly.
"Since morning my head has been erupting, all the stores are closed now and if I don't get an aspirin I'll surely faint! Please...after all a Japanese man can help another Japanese," Jin added innocently.

Yuushi sighed and gave in, as he was unlocking the door, Jin did another dance, when Yuushi turned around he transformed back into his I'm-so-innocent-and-I'm-so-cultured look. Yuushi handed him the aspirin, and Jin paid.

"Sir," Jin said way too innocently this time, " I' m so embarrassed that for such a little aspirin you had to open your store!"

"It's o.k., " Yuushi reassured him.

"No, I really want to buy another thing, I'll er...buy this beer?" Jin tapped the box. "Not that I drink it...my friends..." Jin jabbed a thumb outside, implying his friends drank.

Yuushi however was infuriated. How dare he!

"Put it down!" He ordered sternly.

"It's for you're own benefit!" Jin replied, he paid and even had the nerve to comment.

"...And I'll even add an extra coin, oh look two came out? Maybe it was destined, ok so you can get the two!" Jin grinned.

"Get out!" Yuushi bellowed furiously.

"Okay, okay!" Jin said taking the aspirin, as Yuushi's back was towards him Jin lifted up the beer and ran out of the store placing the money on the counter.

"Oy, Paul start the car!" Jin said jumping in waving ta-ra towards an extremely furious Yuushi.

***

Julia and Michelle were dancing to some hyper party music, they were having a really fun time until the bell rang.

"Yuushi!" The two girls gasped in unison.

Julia quickly changed the music to a classical Japanese instrumental, while Michelle replaced the cushions to their original form. Julia sat on the sofa and picked up a classical novel and started reading, whilst Michelle went to open the door.

"What's the matter? You're a bit late today!" Michelle asked in a concerned voice as she took off his coat.

"Rascals, shameless! They call themselves Japanese. They are a black spot on Japan, they should die by shame!" Yuushi said in an extremely hurt rather than angry tone. "No respect for elders, no culture, they don't even know how to behave!"

"What's the matter? Had a fight with someone?" Michelle questioned putting away the coat.

"An idiot came to buy beer, I reasoned and told him that the store was closed, he took it forcibly!" Yuushi said with his voice rising, " He even broke the Ikebana vase! I say Michelle, thank god that our daughter isn't into this western culture! Then her too would have been nowhere!"

He went upstairs and slammed the varnished oak door to his room. Julia came over to Michelle with a worried look on her face.

"I'm sorry, it'll have to wait," Michelle said gently to Julia as she too went back to the kitchen. Julia simply nodded.

***
It was a beautiful sunrise as the orange descended with a modest magenta. Julia was out in the garden sorting out the Ikebana tray, it was her Father's job but she wanted to really please him and this was the only way probably. Yuushi came down in a black silk Kimono with an iris at the back shaped like a dragon, he was still a bit angry but as he saw Julia doing the flower arranging, he smiled. All his troubles had vanished as he looked at his beautiful, mature daughter. Julia smiled as she saw her father and then handed him an unfinished vase as she took hers towards the table. He held her hand and motioned her to sit down with him.

"You are my good daughter, " He said while stroking her hair. "You were this small! but look at you know...People say that when a daughter gets older, her father's shoulders droop, but with a daughter like you, my chest swells up with pride!"

He embraced her and she smiled.

"Father, if I ask something will you give it to me?" Julia questioned.

"Whatever you would like," Yuushi smiled.

"I want to see Europe," Julia murmured quietly.

"Europe?" Yuushi frowned inwardly.

"There is a 1 month tour for Europe by Euro-rail, all my friends are going," Julia said still quietly.

Yuushi turned his gaze away and broke the embrace. Michelle came out as well, wearing a Kimono which was light pink cotton with roses embroidered onto it. She saw Julia and Yuushi speaking to each other and didn't want to break the peace so just stood quietly, hoping for the better.

"Please don't be upset!" Julia pleaded now a trace of tears in her eyes. "Till now I haven't asked anything from you...I'm going to go to a country which I've never been to...marry someone who is a complete stranger, but I'm perfectly happy with that, I've no complaint."

Julia laughed, fighting her tears.

"You must have thought something good for me, but father...I will never get this opportunity again. These friends, I may never see, and it's only for 1 month, within this month I will live all my life! So for my sake, for my own life, can't you give me 1 month?" Julia pleaded.
"Please daddy, give me 1 month?"

Yuushi looked into his daughters tearful gaze, suddenly his expressionless face broke into a smile. Michelle clutched her hands together, she was also misty eyed.

"Go ahead my daughter and live your life!" Yuushi smiled opening his arms for another warm, long embrace.

Michelle finally made herself noticed by crying with tears of joy and Julia was laughing as well as crying, she was leaving her family but she was going to live her own life with independence for once.