"I should have just told you", Adrien blurted out. "I really should have just...".

"No, I understand why you didn't", Val smiled. "I didn't want to harm you... and you didn't want to harm me. I am... just glad that you told me, now".

Adrien smiled sadly. "You make it sound nicer than it was", he said. "I also summoned you, and...".

"I think I understand why you did that, as well", Val said.

A chuckle escaped Adrien. "...Good, because, honestly, I barely do", he said. "I just -- kept thinking about you, and I just wanted you -- once, so I'd stop thinking about you. I know it sounds weird, but...". He needed a moment to give some shape his thoughts. "...But, regret for what you didn't do is much worse than regret for what you did, you know?... I just -- the thought of going home with everything left -- left unsaid and unfinished... And it kept burning me, and I wanted -- to put a stop to all this... to end it -- and then everything would be behind me".

"Adrien...", Val whispered.