[ this might not be something that she can act on for some time, but... he can see that some bit of the tension she's been carrying alleviate, slowly but surely. there is no easy solution for problems like this one, but Abel has faith she truly means her vow: that she will return home once they are seen back to their worlds, that she'll make it right with her family. she will allow herself that mercy.

Abel's smile is genuinely content in response, shaking his head lightly-- ]

Please...! With as much as I like to talk, the least I can do is listen every now and then, don't you think so?

[ he can see she needs a break from sober subjects and he's more than happy to play along on a lighter tilt. ...naturally. ]

Ah, but if this is a confession... I wonder if there is a deep, dark secret you haven't yet touched upon, Himeka. Mm, something dastardly lurking beneath the surface of your pleasant veneer... something about, say... a recent whale massacre?! Honestly, for shame.