October 4, 2053 – 8:44 p.m.

A few hours later, Junna is in her room in the Gotha building, ready to take a bath, with only a towel to cover her. Meanwhile, she reflects on her day and what awaits her the next day.

“I'm really exhausted... and to think that today, between the meeting of the Council called by that envious old man Domon, Jin's university enrollment, and getting him a room here in the Gotha building, I didn't even have a minute to work. Tomorrow I'll definitely have to jump through hoops to make up for lost time... oh well, but right now I've earned myself a relaxing bath.”

As soon as she gets into the tub, she hears a knock at her door and shouts, trying to figure out who is disturbing her moment of relaxation.

“Who is it?!”

“It's Jin.”

Junna is surprised. "Oh, Jin... come in! The door is open!"

Jin enters the room, but once inside, he sees no one, so he tries to call out to the owner of the house. “Junna! Where are you?”

From the bathroom, which has the door closed, he hears the woman's voice addressing Jin. "I'm here, I'm taking a bath."

Jin, as soon as he realizes that Junna behind that door is completely naked because she is washing herself, blushes and swallows hard. Then, with a trembling voice, he tries to leave the situation, which has become a little too embarrassing for him. “W-well, maybe... I'd better come back later.”

Jin is about to leave the room, but Junna calls him back from the bathroom. "Don't worry, Jin! You can talk to me behind the door... you won't be embarrassed, will you?"

Jin, caught red-handed, tries to hide it, but doesn't do a very good job. "Me, embarrassed? What are you talking about... why would I be... I'm used to situations like this."

Junna laughs. "I know you well, Jin, don't lie."

The boy then tries to change the subject. “Anyway, if you're going to take a bath, you should at least lock the door to your room. Otherwise, anyone with bad intentions could get in.”

“Jin... since Gotha was established, violent crimes have fallen by 98% and thefts by 96%. No one will come in here, just as no one will come into your room, don't worry.”

Jin is surprised by these figures, but Junna continues talking. “Anyway... what did you come here to tell me?”

Jin's voice becomes heavier, a sign that he is about to say something serious. “I came to thank you once again for what you are doing for me.”

Now it's Junna who feels a little embarrassed, but Jin continues with his speech. “I also want to make one thing clear... I haven't forgotten the comrades I met in the Resistance... Keina, Mitsuo, the big monkey, and all the others. I can't even forget Ren, who was sentenced to death before my eyes by you Gotha people, or those who were killed while trying to save me on the way from the court to here. At the same time, hearing about the progress your government has brought to Japan, I can't understand why they are so strongly opposed to you. However, I have not yet decided which side to take. I believe there are still pieces missing from this puzzle... Both you and the Resistance are hiding something from me, something about my past or future, in short, about what I have done in these 28 years and why everyone seems to consider me so important. I just wanted to make this clear, Junna... as much as I owe you my life, at this moment I can't say I'm your ally.”

“I understand, Jin… However, since you received the subcutaneous chip, you have become a citizen of 2053 like everyone else. None of us expect anything from you except that you live by the rules. Otherwise, you are free to make any choice you want. The only thing that matters is that you do so consciously.”

"Awareness?" Jin repeats.

“Yes, awareness of your surroundings, awareness that Gotha has eradicated the poverty and crime that surrounded your era, realizing the utopia of a perfect society. Awareness that by joining the Resistance you would be sentenced to death, awareness of what we as individuals can give to this world. When you make decisions considering all aspects and are aware of the consequences you will face with your actions, you will never have any regrets.”

Jin smiles. “I have one last question.”

“Please, I'm listening.”

When I heard Member Domon speak, I realized that I was already dead in 2053, and if that weren't the case, I might not be here now. But what about my parents? They're dead too, right?

"H-how do you know?" Junna replies, surprised by this insight.

“I just had a feeling... I know that the grandfather paradox doesn't apply to travel into the future, but the fact that no one has told me about them made me realize it. And then you wouldn't have found me a room here if they were still alive.”

“Even though you're only 17, you're really very smart... However, I'm not going to tell you yet what led to your death, but don't worry, it has nothing to do with your parents' death. They passed away recently, both due to a long illness.”

A tear rolls down Jin's cheek. “Thank goodness... I was afraid I was the cause of their demise.”

Hearing these words, Junna jumps up from the bathtub. “Of course not, Jin! You are the best thing this world has ever produced, you are the one who saved everyone!”

Immediately after hurriedly putting on her towel, she opens the door to be as clear as possible with Jin, but as soon as she does, she realizes that the boy has already left the room. The only thing she can do at that point is to indulge in a comment to herself. “I wish I could tell you everything already, but even those kids from the Resistance have noticed... you wouldn't be able to handle the truth right now.”