Yes, Zoey helped the MC to be less of a loser. Now ask Zoey if the MC is currently the person she hoped he would be. There's a dialogue between the MC and Zoey that proves what I'm saying:
'''
Zoey "Can we, like, hang out again? I know it's hard to go back to how it was..."
Zoey "...but what I mean is that I wanna see you again. I miss talking to you."
Zoey "I was hoping that we could press play on what we paused..."
MC "Zoey.
Things are different now. College and work are taking up most of my time."
MC "
I'm different too. This last year has changed me."
'''
Could that MC who was dating Zoey wet Sage? Probably not, but the current MC, even on his most snowflake day, could make Sage madly horny. MC in B&R ain't no pussy, son.
[EDIT] ~ Just complementing my answer, dude.
The player obviously can make the MC as pussy as possible to try to replicate the personality the MC had when he was dating Zoey, but DPC forces some dialogue that causes the MC to recognize that he is no longer the same person he used to be (regardless of player choices).
I understand what you mean, but apparently the DPC wants to sell the idea that Zoey doesn't know the MC anymore because he's not the person she used to know (again, regardless of player choice). This means that the DPC will put Zoey to make up for lost time and to at least try to maintain a friendship with the MC if the player doesn't want something more serious with her.
Otherwise, if the MC was the same pussy as ever, they could just pick up where they left off. And
it's also likely that the DPC doesn't want Zoey to have the advantage of knowing the MC longer than the other girls, you know? It's like a nerf for Zoey, now she's on a level playing field compared to other girls.
