On the timeline before his regression, Jess's future was just as Jeff remembered it.
At the age of 20, Jess became pregnant with her boyfriend's child. Though it might seem like she was at the right age to become a mother, Jess had a unique condition: a weak womb.
This condition led to Jess suffering a miscarriage, and with it, the devastating complication of losing the ability to conceive again. To make matters worse, her boyfriend—who had completely disregarded her condition—abandoned her upon learning what had happened, leaving her for another woman.
Whether it was out of loyalty to her ex or simply due to the insecurity that came from no longer being able to bear a child, Jess spent most of her time secluded, refusing to enter into another relationship. That remained true until Jeff fell ill with an incurable disease—and she finally confessed her hidden feelings for him, staying by his side until his last breath.
If only he hadn't ignored his feelings for her, maybe she wouldn't have suffered such a terrible fate. Maybe, just maybe, they could have spent more time together—beyond what little he had left.
"Wait... That shit bastard wasn't your boyfriend?"
The memories flooded Jeff's mind as he asked what he immediately realized was a stupid question.
His regression—taking place just before Jess's birthday ended—suddenly made more sense. If he had failed the first quest of the Returner Fantasy System right from the start, if he hadn't reached Jess before the day ended, and if he hadn't proposed before the countdown reached zero, then that shit bastard would likely have ended up as Jess's official boyfriend.
"Don't say something stupid like me having someone else…"
"I'm sorry, Jess…"
Cutting off Jess's rising anger, Jeff offered a sincere apology as he wrapped his arms around her.
Maybe it was the sad look on his face, as if he were about to cry. Maybe it was the loneliness in his voice that made the apology sound so heartfelt. Or maybe she was just a bit of a pushover when it came to him. Whatever the reason, Jess didn't resist when Jeff pulled her into an embrace.
Without saying a word, Jess buried her face in his chest, letting go of her rage and waiting to see what Jeff would do next.
After a while, the tension between them faded, and they sat quietly on the balcony. Jeff still held Jess from behind—not romantically, but more like a gentle restraint, just in case she lost her temper again.
"So… about that shit bastard…" Jeff said, tightening his grip slightly on her arms.
"You mean Trud?"
"Yep. Like I said—total shit."
Though she hesitated—enjoying the attention Jeff was giving her—Jess decided to tell the truth.
"I mean, he was courting me… but it's not like I was going to agree to be his girlfriend. I don't have any feelings for him either."
Hearing that only deepened Jeff's suspicion: if he hadn't proposed in time, Jess might have said yes to the shit bastard just out of desperation.
Regardless, what mattered now was getting Jess to turn Trud down, so Jeff could complete the third quest of the Returner Fantasy System.
"I know it's not my place to ask… but can you turn him down, Jess?" Jeff said, tightening his embrace again—this time to show just how much he wanted her.
He buried his face in her back, quietly savoring the seductive scent he had been secretly enjoying since their conversation began.
Suddenly, Jeff felt Jess moving—not trying to break free, but clearly doing something. Then, out of nowhere, an annoying voice rang out.
"Hey, babe, sorry I couldn't make it to your birthday last night. Anyway—"
"Tsk! I've had enough of your bullshit, Trud. Don't ever contact me again."
---
[RETURNER FANTASY SYSTEM]
[Quest 3 - Shit Bastard (Complete)]
[Reward - Trud's Archive]
---
Jess had just called the shit bastard to turn him down. At least, that's how Jeff understood it.
"Hey! This isn't what we talked about, Jess!"
Without responding, Jess went to end the call, but Jeff reached for her smartphone, stopping her just long enough to see Trud's face on the screen.
"You can go fuck yourself tonight, Turd," Jeff said, making sure his words hinted at more than just anger.
"Who the fu—tut!—"
The monotone beep echoed as Jeff ended the call.
Jess turned to glare at Jeff. She clearly understood the implication.
While Trud spent the night alone, they would be enjoying themselves together.
Jeff's smug grin said it all—and it lingered in Jess's mind.
Afraid he might provoke another one of Jess's rampages, Jeff decided it was time to end the night, especially now that he had completed the third quest.
He released her from his embrace—only to sweep her off her feet, one arm under her legs, the other around her back, carrying her bridal-style.
Jess gasped in surprise, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck. Her face turned red, her ears flushed with embarrassment as she looked up at him, silently questioning.
"We won't do it yet if that's what you want… but you will be sleeping with me in my room tonight, right, Jess?"
Still flustered, Jess didn't speak. She only nodded—an answer that urged Jeff to walk toward his room with her still in his arms.
Considering their families were still celebrating just a floor below, there was no way they could do anything intimate tonight—not without risking being caught in the act, or at least overheard. That was reason enough for them to simply lie beside each other on Jeff's bed, holding one another.
Maybe the exhaustion of being the center of attention finally caught up to her, because Jess fell asleep almost immediately, tightening her embrace around Jeff.
As he gently held her, battling his own lustful urges and the mischievous desire to prank her with his aroused rod, Jeff turned his attention to the rewards from completing the second and third quests of the Returner Fantasy System.
The second reward was Jess's Archive—a comprehensive record of her history, both from Jeff's original timeline and possible future paths. Trud's Archive was the third reward, and it followed the same format.
Reading Jess's Archive, Jeff confirmed his suspicions. In his previous timeline, when he hadn't shown up for her 20th birthday, Jess had accepted Trud as her boyfriend—hoping it would make Jeff jealous enough to act.
That realization made Jeff tighten his embrace on her, guilt clawing at him for the suffering she endured because of his indecision.
And then came something worse—something much more troubling.
According to Trud's Archive, the bastard had been blackmailing Jess into becoming his girlfriend.
"You're going to die for that, shit bastard."
Jess stirred, hearing Jeff speak, though she was still half asleep.
Her eyes, only partly open, looked at him groggily. But even in that haze, Jeff's words were clear.
"I promise, Jess. I won't let him—or anyone else—hurt you again."