59. No laughing, go to sleep inside.

He watched her for a while; his hand, hanging by his side, opened and closed repeatedly. Finally, he bent down to grasp her chin; his grip was far from gentle. "Let go." he said.

She obediently released him, very docile and compliant, then gave him a stupid grin, a grin that somehow seemed mechanical.

Her reaction was far from what one might expect from a typical girl. She did not seem to notice the suggestive air that comes from a man and a woman sharing a room. She did not keep quiet, did not run away, but just continued to look at him foolishly. It was a response that made him feel rather odd.

He stared at her in surprise, his gaze scanning her face for a full minute.

During this minute, she never once seemed shy or embarrassed. She only kept grinning foolishly, making him feel an urge to bully her.

He unbuttoned his shirt, and sat down on a nearby sofa. "Stop grinning and dance for me!"