Jeff woke up the next morning with two questions on his mind. Not about the mystery of the Returner Fantasy System or the reality of going back 12 years into his past, but rather: Why am I naked? And where is my usual morning wood?
Lying on top of him was Jess, sleeping soundly, wrapped in a bed sheet that concealed her entire body—only her beautiful, alluring face was visible, greeting him with serene calm. The sight alone should have been enough to arouse him, but oddly, his rod remained still. It wasn't that he wasn't excited by Jess lying on top of him, or that he was tired. Instead, his entire body—including his rod—felt... satisfied.
Regardless, there was no way he could not feel happy waking up to Jess first thing in the morning.
Smiling at the heartwarming moment, he gently patted Jess's head and brushed her hair with his fingers. Slowly, Jess stirred and opened her eyes.
The moment she saw Jeff, she smiled—until her expression shifted instantly. Her cheeks turned bright red, and the tips of her ears flushed as she suddenly remembered what she had done to Jeff last night… on her own.
Predictably, her embarrassment transformed into violent instinct. She threw a straight punch at Jeff's face as she leapt up and retreated to the edge of the bed.
Fortunately, Jeff somehow managed to dodge, and now sat proudly and shamelessly on the bed.
"At least cover that, you pervert!"
Obeying her demand, Jeff placed a wolf plushie over his groin as he sat at one end of the bed. Meanwhile, Jess remained huddled at the other end, still clutching the bed sheet around her.
Why the sheet? The answer was clear, lying between them: Jess's white undergarments and lingerie were on the bed.
Like Jeff's clothes—now scattered across the floor—Jess was completely naked under the covers.
Taking in all that information, Jeff came to one final conclusion.
"So you rap…"
Jess didn't even let him finish his idiotic statement. She launched a kick directly into his face. This time, he wasn't lucky enough to dodge. Still, he was conscious enough to keep playing up the drama.
"I didn't mind giving you my virginity, though."
"I didn't do anything like that!" she protested, flustered.
"But still, I would've preferred it if you did it while I was awake…"
"Stop talking like I'm the predator here!"
"Aren't you?"
"Get out!"
After unlocking the door to her room, Jess kicked Jeff out—though only after he put his clothes back on. He stumbled out into the hallway, landing at the feet of Jess's mother.
Kindly, his aunt told him to take a shower and wait for Jess to get ready. Jeff now sat alone in the living room, trying to make sense of everything that had happened.
As far as he remembered, he had died from an incurable disease at the age of 32. It only took two years to claim his life. In his final moments, as he regretted everything he hadn't done, a mysterious voice offered him the Returner Fantasy System—a system that sent him 12 years into the past.
That much, he instinctively understood. The system tasked him with completing quests if he wanted to change the future for himself and the people he cared about—including Jess.
He had already completed two quests. The first involved proposing to Jess. The second... he had no memory of completing.
But the quest title, the reward, and the details all pointed to one conclusion: Jess did something to him while he was asleep.
Whatever it was, Jeff could only wish he had been awake to experience it. That's another regret in his second life.
"She's ready, Jeff."
His aunt's voice interrupted his internal monologue as she entered the living room, dragging Jess along with her.
Beautiful, attractive, seductive as always, Jeff thought, eyeing her from head to toe. She wore a white slip dress that showed off her bountiful cleavage, paired with short denim jeans that highlighted her long, slender legs. Her pristine skin, elegant figure, and radiant face stood out effortlessly, even in casual clothes.
What caught his eye the most, though, was the oversized white jacket she wore. Jeff recognized it immediately—it was the one he had given her. He had a matching one back home.
It'd be nice to wear it together, he thought dreamily.
"Stop ogling me, perv."
Snapping him back to reality, Jess shot him a deadly glare—only to be shoved forward by her mother.
"Off you go, you two."
Go where? Jeff had no clue. His clueless expression only irritated Jess more. She reached out and pinched both his cheeks in opposite directions.
Before the banter could escalate, her mother clarified.
"Since Jeff made it in time for your birthday, you should attend his, too. Right, Jess?"
The words jolted Jeff's memory. Of course—yesterday had been Jess's 20th birthday. Today was his.
Now the first quest from the Returner Fantasy System made sense: he had to make it before Jess's birthday ended. He wasn't sure about the proposal part—but he had no complaints. It was romantic in its own chaotic way. The only downside was that he forgot to bring a ring.
Thankfully, Jess's mother lent him hers, completing the proposal.
But Jess still hadn't given him an answer.
"So… can I get an answer now?"
On the way back to his house, Jeff made yet another attempt to get Jess's answer to his proposal.
"Shut up, you idiot!"
"Idiot as in literally, or because I'm asking an obvious question? Either way, I'm your idiot forever."
The line was so cheeky, Jess instinctively recoiled, scrunching her face in disgust. She tried to walk ahead, pretending she didn't know him in front of the other passengers. But Jeff's right hand, firmly gripping hers, stopped her.
He wanted her answer, but he wasn't in a rush. Besides, no new quests had popped up in the Returner Fantasy System.
Changing the topic, he asked something else that was on his mind.
"By the way, Jess, what's with all these bags?"
His right hand still held hers, while his left carried a travel bag. Jess was dragging a suitcase—both belonging to her.
"Wait… are we moving in together now?"
"Keep your fantasy to yourself, perv."
"You mean my fantasy with you?"
"Pervert!"