October 2, 2053 – 9:00 a.m.

"The only real tyrants of humanity have always been the shadows of the dead or the illusions they have sown."

Jin and Ren are sitting in the dock of a courtroom. Within a couple of minutes, the judge enters the courtroom and is promptly informed by an official about the case he is to rule on. 

"Today's case concerns two individuals caught in the act of writing anti-government slogans in Gotha. In addition, one of the two also attempted to assault the officers on duty."

"I see... show me the satellite images" orders the judge, who changes position and turns towards a giant screen behind him. The images projected are clearly visible to everyone present, including Jin and Ren and the two police officers who captured them, who remain at the defendants' sides to make sure they don't do anything strange.

The screen shows images of what happened earlier, namely the Resistance group writing on the walls with spray cans and the group's subsequent escape when the two Gotha police officers arrived. The part where Jin tries to save his comrade Ren but ends up being captured is also shown. Once all these parts have been shown, the screen goes blank and the judge turns back to the defendants. "I would say that the images are quite clear. Do these individuals belong to the Resistance?"

"We can say yes. We scanned them and they appear to have no microchips." The official replies again.

"I would say that this is absolute proof of their guilt. Despite everything, I still want to give them the chance to admit their guilt and leave with dignity. How do the defendants plead?"

"Guilty!" Ren replies.

"Good" exclaims the judge, who then adds, "What is your name?"

"My name is Ren Aoyama and I am a proud member of the Resistance."

The judge bangs his gavel.

"I find Ren Aoyama guilty of belonging to the Resistance and therefore of threatening the existence of Gotha. Take him to the execution chamber!"

"E-execution?" Jin repeats, frightened, immediately standing up and frantically trying to understand what will happen to the other boy. "Hey, you! What do you mean by execution? You can't kill him! You can't expect me to believe that such a minor offense is enough to warrant the death penalty!"

"Calm down! Make him sit down!" The judge shouts.

The policeman next to Jin immediately points his stun gun at him. "Sit down or I'll have to hit you again."

"No, I won't sit down! You're sentencing a boy to such a severe punishment for writing on a wall! So it's true that you Gotha people are the embodiment of evil! Keina and Mitsuo were right... killing is wrong... I am deeply convinced of that. Even if it's done in the name of justice, death is never the right solution!"

"Look, if you don't stop shouting, I'll shoot you again. This is your last warning!" The policeman warns him, but everything is stopped by the thunderous laughter coming from Ren's mouth as the other officer takes him away.

"What's so funny now?" asks the judge.

Ren continues to laugh heartily and can't seem to stop.

"Get him out of here!" the judge yells at the policeman, but before leaving the room, Ren makes a statement that takes everyone by surprise about Jin's identity.

"Without that damn chip, you know nothing about us... you don't even realize who you're dealing with, do you? That boy's name is Jin Kuraishi!"

"What is this criminal talking about? It's impossible."

"The statue you erected... look at that stupid statue and ask yourselves if it's really impossible for a god to live twice."

The judge looks out of the room, towards the outside of the courthouse, where there is a large statue, and immerses himself in his memories, remembering when he was younger and had just started working there and the was still under construction, how he passed by it every day in all weather conditions, from the most beautiful with sunshine and blossoming trees, to the most adverse with heavy rain and snowstorms. He also remembers when he was promoted to judge and celebrated with his wife and children right under that statue. A statue that he remembers perfectly by heart and whose facial features are very reminiscent of Jin.

"N-no, it can't be... is your surname really Kuraishi?"

"Y-yes." Jin replies.

"May I ask where you're from, young man?"

"Well, I don't know if you'll believe me... I was born in this city in 2008, I'm 17 years old, and suddenly, on June 3, 2025, I found myself here, which apparently is 2053."

The judge stands up and takes off his glasses. He is sweating cold, as if in a few moments his whole world had been turned upside down.

"J-judge... so what do we do with this?" asks the official.

"Call Gotha headquarters, tell them who it is and that they will have to judge him... I can't do it."

"Headquarters? You don't really believe this story, do you?"

"Yes, I do... I would recognize that face anywhere. He is definitely younger and doesn't have that distinctive scar, but it's him. In fact, I can't understand how I didn't recognize him immediately. For now, take him to one of our cells."

"Yes, sir!" exclaims one of the policemen.

Meanwhile, the judge leaves the room in a state of obvious shock.

Jin is taken to a room inside the courthouse where there are several cells, all of which are empty. He is then locked in one of them.

"Do you understand, kid? Now, as per orders, I'm going to notify headquarters, and they will decide what to do with you" the guard says to Jin.

"O-okay, but honestly, I don't really understand what's going on."

"Same here, to be honest..."

The man walks away and Jin is left alone in the cell, staring into space beyond the bars.