Returner Fantasy-Chapter 162: Photoshoot - Part 13

"Just how rich Nubia’s family is," Jess said as she stood at the foredeck, looking at the remote island their touring boat was heading toward.

"It’s just a small island, though. That’s what Nubia-senpai said when I asked the same question before."

Unthought as it was, Jeff’s remark earned him a questioning glare from Jess as she glanced over her shoulder.

"You’ve been on the island before with Nubia?"

Despite already approving of being in a relationship with Nubia, Jess still couldn’t help but feel envious of the time Jeff and Nubia spent together during high school, and annoyed by the fact that Jeff had ignored and avoided her during those years.

Sensing Jess’s sour mood worsening, Jeff embraced her to calm and restrain her at the same time. After all, Jess was still glaring at Cindy from time to time, clenching her fists in irritation.

"That bitch is stalking you for real, idiot."

"Just ignore her for now, Jess."

To divert Jess’s attention, Jeff brought the conversation back to her earlier question.

"Nubia-senpai brought the entire student council to the island once. Not for a retreat, but as part-time workers to do the cleaning."

Jeff continued telling what he knew about the island—that Nubia’s grandfather, the CEO of PoruMerc, bought the island just five years ago. After four years of renovating the old villa and constructing a new hotel, PoruMerc Island would be open to the public by the upcoming summer.

"So that’s why they’re doing the photoshoot there," Mira said as she stood beside Jess, leaning on the rails of the foredeck.

Mina followed Mira, embracing her from behind to imitate Jeff embracing Jess.

"To use PoruMerc’s Fashion Magazine Summer Collection as promotion—as expected of your rich girlfriend," Mina said, directing her teasing at Jess and Jeff.

---

By the time their conversation ended, the touring boat reached the remote island and docked at its port.

"Who are those waiting at the beach?" Jeff said, noticing a group of men waving to greet the arrival of the touring boat.

"Those are the models from PoruMerc’s Men’s Division," Lena said, answering everyone’s curiosity as she approached Jeff’s group.

"So this is a joint photoshoot after all?"

"You’re worrying too much, Jeff."

"Shouldn’t I, Ms. Lena?"

Confused by their conversation, Lena explained to Jess, Mira, and Mina what they were talking about, reminding them about the competition between the Women’s and Men’s Divisions, and that Jeff was concerned about Nubia’s ex-boyfriend attending the photoshoot.

"Daniel isn’t here—you can rest assured of that, Jeff. And as for the joint photoshoot, I’ll explain the details later," Lena said, ending her explanation, but not before giving their group some advice.

"I don’t know what kind of relationship you have with everyone, but it’s better to keep silent about Nubia being your girlfriend."

"Sorry about that, Jess," Mina said, realizing what she had said earlier that might cause more bad rumors for Jess.

"It’s fine. I’ll just punch anyone who bad-mouths us."

—"Please abstain from violence for a while, Jess."—

---

From the port, every group was ushered by the PoruMerc staff toward the hotel, where they would be given their own private rooms after a short briefing.

At the hotel’s event hall, they were greeted with a buffet of snacks while listening to the briefing.

"Why is Ms. Lena the one in charge of this photoshoot?" Mina asked, watching Lena take center stage.

"Why isn’t Nubia here, Jeff?" Mina whispered, making sure no one else could hear their conversation.

While Jess was busy eating the sweets she had gathered at their table, Jeff explained to Mira and Mina about Nubia’s situation—or rather, the made-up story he had told Jess: that Nubia was taking time off from work after a rather dangerous argument with her business partner.

"I don’t know anything about her father, though," Jeff said, ending his explanation.

Turning their attention back to Lena, Jeff listened to what Jess, Mira, and Mina—and even Nubia—had forgotten to tell him about the photoshoot.

PoruMerc’s Men’s Division models had already done their photoshoot for the Summer Collection Men’s Magazine last week.

Most of the male models and their crew had already left last weekend. However, the few who stayed were chosen to be part of the joint photoshoot.

"Does that mean Jess would have to partner with them?" Jeff said in a displeased tone.

"As expected of someone who has a harem," Mira said, followed by Mina clarifying what she meant.

"Of course, Jeff doesn’t want any other men getting paired with Jess."

"Not only Jess, but both of you as well—Mira and Mina."

Jeff’s heartfelt remark made Mira and Mina flustered, and even Jess felt delighted that Jeff wasn’t neglecting them.

"And Nubia, Vee, and Klea as well."

Regardless, hearing Jeff continue listing everyone involved in the Harem x Yuri plan as if he were bragging made Jess annoyed.

"Shush it. Someone might be eavesdropping, idiot," Jess said before glaring daggers at Cindy, who was indeed looking in their direction from a distant table.

Going back to the topic of the joint photoshoot, Mina, as Jess’s assistant manager, explained to Jeff—who was Jess’s manager in name only—that Jess wouldn’t be part of it.

"Not only you, Jeff, but I’m sure Jess wouldn’t agree to join even if I asked her. That’s why I didn’t apply for the joint photoshoot," Mina said, ending her explanation, only for Mira to add a suggestion.

"But since you’re here, why not join as Jess’s exclusive partner?"

Before Jeff could ask questions—or Jess could swallow her food and give approval—Mina had already rushed toward the PoruMerc staff’s table to register Jeff as Jess’s exclusive partner for the joint photoshoot.

"Would they even agree to such a late registration?" Jeff asked. Approval wasn’t his only concern—he also lacked modeling experience.

"I mean, I tried it before when Nubia-senpai asked me, along with Kris and Marc, to try modeling—but we didn’t pass."

"And when was that?" Mira asked, curious why Jeff hadn’t passed despite his ruggedly handsome look, muscular frame, and tall height.

"Was that before you worked part-time at PoruMerc’s Women’s Gym?" Jess said, finally rejoining the conversation.

"I think you’re right," Jeff said, recalling memories from four years ago—and an additional twelve years from his original timeline before his regression.

—"That’s probably why, idiot."—

Jess and Mina said in unison, confident that Jeff would surely pass as a model. Just as they expected, Mina returned to their table a few minutes later, giving Jeff a thumbs-up to show she had gotten the staff’s approval.

"All you have to do is pose like you’re about to make love with Jess, and it’ll be more than enough, Jeff," Mina said, hinting at more than her words implied.

---

After the briefing, their group headed to their private room—one of the suites on the top 7th floor.

Upon stepping inside the room, resting on the large king-size bed or getting intimate wasn’t the first thing they did.

"You two are quite prepared, aren’t you?" Jeff said, watching Mira and Mina scan the whole room with a wiretapping detector.

With the incident involving Cindy’s attempt to mess with Jess, Mira and Mina learned to be more vigilant.

Following their example, Jeff placed his extra smartphone in a hidden spot, turning on its motion sensor to record every time there was movement inside the room.

As for Jess, she stood at the center of the room, sniffing the air like a beast detecting the scent of her prey.

"I guess the room is clear," Mira said after scanning the room a second time.

"There’s nothing suspicious in the bathroom as well," Mina added, turning off the detector.

"And what about our howling beast? Did you sniff anything unusual?" Jeff said, teasing Jess as she continued walking in circles.

"I can only smell three perverts here, so we’re probably fine," Jess said, then proceeded to pull something from her luggage.

As if you’re not a pervert yourself, everyone thought—but they didn’t have time to tease her upon seeing what Jess took out.

"Is that an inflatable shark float?" Mira asked as she watched Jess pump air into it.

"And what do you plan to do with that, Jess?" Mina asked, already knowing the answer and shaking her head with an annoyed smile.

"But I didn’t get to play much at the beach last time!" Jess retorted, refusing to give up her desire to play with Jeff—something they hadn’t done much during their last vacation.

—"That’s because you spent the entire day doing it with Jeff!"—

Mira and Mina shouted in unison, scolding Jess and reminding her that they had work to do first, while telling Jeff not to just laugh while watching them squabble.

As a compromise, Jess was allowed to carry her shark float while they explored the island, the hotel, and the villa to look for spots that would be marked and used for the photoshoot.

Although they explored while already wearing swimsuits, Jess still wasn’t allowed to swim or play at the beach—not even in the hotel pools.

However, that wasn’t Jess’s only complaint.

"That bitch is stalking you for real, Jeff."