October 3, 2053 – 10:58 a.m.

Jin, standing in the center of the room with his face turned upward, is staring at Junna Miura, the person who seems to play a leading role within the Gotha, and in fact, it is she who once again introduces the topic. "Well, dear members of the Gotha, after doing extra work because of those two incompetents, Lieutenant Morita and Second Lieutenant Hoshino, we are called upon to make an important decision. We must judge this boy... I don't know how many of you have already noticed, but we are facing Jin Kuraishi." As Jin's surname is pronounced, a loud cry comes from a nearby room. The person making that sound is surely Lieutenant Morita. "Ahhhhhhhhhhh!!!"

Oh dear... some people just can't accept death. Junna says condescendingly.

Meanwhile, the members of the Gotha have begun to argue heatedly among themselves about Junna's previous statements about Jin's identity. Some shout that it's impossible, others say it's a miracle, and still others talk about paradoxes. Once again, it is Junna herself who restores order, clapping her hands and making the sound echo in the large room. "Please, gentlemen... we are the wealthiest members of this society, let's not indulge in barroom arguments. Your doubts are legitimate, which is why you have the right to question the boy here. I am already certain that he is Jin, but you should certainly not hold back from asking him questions."

"Then, if you'll allow me, I have a question for the prisoner." Exclaims an elderly man with a thick light beard, raising his hand. The individual in question is named Arai, he is 60 years old and is a member of the Gotha of biology.

“Biology member Arai... please go ahead.”

"Dear Jin, I would like to know where you come from."

Jin replies without hesitation. “If the question is only about the place... well, from this city.”

“Osaka, eh? From your words, however, one can guess that the matter does not end there. I am sure there is another, much more comprehensive question... such as what year were you born, dear?”

“2008!”

Once again, the members of the Gotha begin to discuss animatedly among themselves, but this does not deter Arai, who continues to reflect aloud. “45 years ago... yet you look much younger, I doubt it could be the result of some rejuvenating cream.” Arai pauses to laugh at his own joke. His thunderous laughter brings calm back to the room, with all the other council members interrupting their discussions to watch the biology member in the throes of a laughing fit. After a few seconds, however, he manages to stop and, wiping away his tears, asks Jin one last question. “Dear Jin... you have definitely come here from the past. You look about 17 years old, so I would say from 2025. Can you confirm my hypothesis?”

"It's exactly as you said, sir."

Everyone is speechless, while Arai turns to Junna. “Member of Logic Miura... I have concluded. I have no doubt that the prodigal son has returned home.”

Junna smiles. “As you have heard, Biology Member Arai also has no doubts about this boy's identity. We are both certain that this is our Jin, the person needed by Gotha, this city, and this nation! For all these reasons, I ask that all charges against this boy, who was found by the Resistance in a confused state and brainwashed by their backward and anti-government ideas, be dropped.”

The eleven members return to their discussion, but one of them raises his hand. He is another rather elderly man, around 63 years old, with sparse white hair and lively green eyes. “I would like to speak.”

"Of course, go ahead, Member Domon."

"Thank you. Regarding your words, I must say that I am rather surprised. Being guided primarily by logic, you should understand better than anyone else the fate that awaits this young man... a terrorist caught red-handed while taking part in anti-government actions. From the report I am reading, it seems that his accomplice, Ren Aoyama, who was captured at the same time and charged with even lesser offenses, has already been executed. I wonder why we should save him instead.”

“In fact, it is precisely logic that makes me think we should avoid condemning Jin. If you think about it, Member of Physics Domon, for several years now, our lives have been considered to begin only when we have a microchip implanted under our skin. Through this device, our every action becomes traceable and judgeable, and as we well know, not everyone is happy with this situation of total control. For this reason, removing the chip from oneself is already a crime punishable by death, but the boy in question has never had the chip in his life, which makes it impossible to judge him in the eyes of our society. Furthermore, the rules of the ‘game’, so to speak, were explained to him in a corrupt manner. These are the reasons why the responsibility for his crimes must fall on the members of the Resistance, who induced him to commit those acts, and certainly not on a simple minor who underwent a veritable brainwashing during the months he spent with them.

Domon lets out an expression of disappointment. “Yet if we accept as true the fact that this boy is the Jin we all know, we must remember that this person was the most wanted man in all of Japan, in other words, the most dangerous criminal in the nation. So… for endangering the Gotha and the government structure in the past, I propose that he be sentenced to death.”

"Nonsense" Junna retorts.

"Excuse me?" says Domon, clearly annoyed by his colleague's response and, above all, by her condescending tone.

"I can't help but think that your words are dictated by unresolved envy and a newfound fear."

"H-how dare you speak to me like that... I remind you that I am your equal!"

"As you said a moment ago, I am guided by logic, and this is the result it has led me to" replies Junna, maintaining an attitude of superiority over her colleague, which infuriates Domon even more.

“You impertinent little...”

“Your previous words are absurd. It is true that the Jin we all knew experienced that situation, but I also remind you that he died at the age of 45 in front of our eyes, so his debts to society were erased with the sacrifice of his life... who knows, maybe he was repentant and aware that he could not go back, and he found a way to move forward. Perhaps this boy's presence here today is a way of making amends for the mistakes of the past or, as far as he is concerned... of the future.” Junna utters these last words while looking down at Jin.

A 37-year-old girl, younger than the other Gotha members, shyly raises her hand and asks to speak, almost stammering. "S-sorry, I'd like to add something if possible..."

"Go ahead, Member of Chemistry Chiba."

“Well... M-member of logic Miura... are you s-sure this boy is our Jin? I-I mean... he had a scar on his face... b-but this boy doesn't.”

“As you well know, in fact as you all know, I have known Jin for much longer than the rest of you. That's why I know the story of when he was injured after falling into a chasm inside an abandoned factory. It was a story he loved to tell, even though it left an indelible mark on his body. One boring afternoon, he simply fell into a large hole inside an abandoned factory and was seriously injured when he fell to the floor below. He always said he would never forget that moment.

“I-I understand, b-but why doesn't this boy have that scar then?”

“Member of the Chemistry Chiba, it seems to me that the answer is quite logical. Evidently, that day had not yet arrived when Jin arrived in 2053. Basically, whatever brought him here did so before he could injure himself. As a result, his body cannot have such a mark. In any case, we can ask him directly.” Junna turns to Jin. “Do you remember the story I just told you? Did you ever fall into a chasm and seriously injure your face due to the impact?”

"Let's say no..." Jin replies, without revealing that he arrived in 2053 in a situation similar to the one described.

“In any case, as with every decision made by the Gotha, the majority will decide. Jin's fate depends on us, the Council Members. To save him, press the green light; if you think it is right to sentence him to death, press the red light.”

After a few moments, the lights chosen by the various members of the Gotha light up on the various balconies. Seven have opted for the green light, while four have opted for the red light. The former are Miura, member of logic; Arai, member of biology; Sakamoto, member of computer science; Ueda, member of economics; Suzuki, member of jurisprudence; Ishikawa, member of mathematics; and Fujimoto, member of psychology. The latter include Domon, member of physics, Chiba, member of chemistry, Tsuji, member of medicine, and Satō, member of engineering. The final result of the vote rewards the proposal to save Jin from capital punishment.

"Well... the Gotha Council has decided to make Jin a free man. From today, he will be part of our society, and I will personally provide him with the information he needs to live here in 2053."

Domon's face is contorted with rage, annoyed that Jin will be spared and integrated into society.

Then Junna herself closes the Council meeting. “Distinguished Members of Gotha, you may return to your research activities. I declare this council meeting adjourned.”

Everyone leaves the balconies, including Junna, who reappears a few seconds later from a door in front of Jin. After approaching him, she begins to talk to him in a friendly manner. Have you seen Jin? It went as I told you, there were no problems.

“Yes, that's true.”

"Come on, follow me, we have a lot to do."

"O-okay." Jin replies, still shaken by this constant rollercoaster of emotions.