But why was Val the only one who got a direct encounter with Ethan? If we assume Ethan wants to help Zach, it’s clear Zach was interested in several girls:
- Alexis — okay, as the bartender there was talk about a blowjob from her, so she was theoretically on his radar, but there was no direct encounter; he only used MC to get to her.
- Erynn — Ethan probably wouldn’t help Zach with her since he’s interested in her himself.
- Layla — he wanted her too, but nothing really happened between Ethan and Layla.
- Elena — same situation as Layla.
- Gabi — again, Zach was into her, but there’s no sign of an Ethan–Gabi interaction either.
So why Val?
Ethan only has this direct encounter with Val if Val makes direct contact with his nuts(not in a pleasant way

).
If John is the one that helps MC, Ethan doesn't know who Val actually is... he just heard about her from Zach.
The dialogue of the Zach-Ethan scene changes to reflect that, there's 2 versions, one where he has met her, one where he doesn't know her.
Zach always requests Ethan's help with getting Val, but i don't think this plan has got into motion yet... the previous meeting(conditional on Valeria having kicked Ethan's nuts) wasn't on Zach's behalf, Ethan was simply trying to get even with her.
The story splits on Val having kicked Ethan's nuts or not?
If she has kicked his nuts, they had this meeting where he tried to intimidate/scare her.
If she hasn't kicked his nuts, Ethan and Val have never actually met... but Ethan is still suppoused to help Zach get in her pants... but nothing has actually happened on this front, Ethan and Val connection is just "theoretical" here...
It might happen... but Ethan doesn't really care about Zach's problems, he's just manipulating the dumb fuck, so it might never happen either.
The other girls Zach has interest, which includes pretty much every female of the cast... i guess Zach never took to the point of requesting help like he did with Val.
She happened to be running by when it happened? If you don't have enough points either she runs somewhere else or doesn't care enough to get involved?

We actually see her running in the background while alot in the game around the city/town.
This girl is running in the background in so many pictures that you should get an achievement if you notice her...
It's played like a chance encounter, she just happened to be nearby and helped...
Did she decide to steer clear if you didn't have the points? Or simply met with her mom early, we'll never know...
And yes, she is on the background a lot
one that stands out for me is when you are with Erynn after the shoot, and she is jogging with Layla right past them
Both girls had horse blinders that day, MC was 3 meters to the side and they just ran by
Yep, also when you are on the way to the garage to see John you see her in the background. She even looks like she might have run past them? Unless she or her dad lives in one of those houses perhaps? The one with the red door between the MC and Erynn and her? Or they just straight up ignored each other.
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Opposite directions and it does look awfully close on that sidewalk not to have noticed each other...
Of course she could've just come out of the red door like you say.