Secret Story [Completed]

Himitsu 10 - Wilting Roses

Remiel asks Jun if he knows about the pros and cons of gem pods, to which Jun responds with a deep breath. He admits that it is risky to connect a living human to the machine for long periods. After some encouragement from Remiel, Jun proceeds to lay out all he knows about gem pods. These pods are used to either bring the dead back to life in the realm of Caspien or allow living humans to visit that realm at their own free will.

Jun explains that humans are drawn to this spiritual realm out of curiosity or the desire to start a new life. But, despite the allure of Caspien, it is a dangerous place. If a living human is connected to the gem pod for too long, they might end up in a coffin.

Moreover, Caspien is home to other entities like Daten-shi, and Jun himself is only half Daten-shi because he has almost reached his limit of being connected to the gem pod. If he were to turn completely Daten-shi, he would pass away in real life.

Remiel then shows Jun a way to ensure that he and Atsuko come out of the gem pods alive. He has created a glitch in Caspien, which requires Jun and Atsuko to exit the town and go through the forest. After leaving the forest, they should find a white door in a green field that stretches for miles. Jun expresses disbelief, but Remiel is serious. Seiko laughs, commenting on the amount of work involved.

Jun is standing in front of the gem pod, anxious about what will happen when he enters it. He turns to Remiel and asks, "Will I lose my memories of this reality when I go into the gem pod?"

Remiel responds in a calming voice, "Don't worry, Jun. Unlike Dr. Allistar, I won't erase your memories. Things will be different when you enter the gem pod on my end."

Jun then asks about Seiko, "Is she coming with me into the gem pod?"

Seiko shakes her head, and her voice is tinged with sadness as she shares a secret with Jun. "I created a copy of myself, Jun. So, technically, I'm a glitch in Caspien that has a mind of its own. I can't come with you, but I'll be watching over you."

Jun is quiet for a moment, pondering over what Seiko said. He then turns to Remiel, who is blushing, and asks, "What's going on with you?"

Remiel tries to hide his blush and asks, "What do you mean, Jun?"

Jun smiles, "I think you know what I mean."

Remiel chuckles, "Okay, I'll admit it. I have a crush on Seiko."

Jun grins, "I knew it. But let's focus on saving Atsuko now."

Remiel helps Jun get inside the gem pod, and Jun notices that the water is warm, unlike the cold water in the Somnus Facility. Jun takes off his shirt, revealing all the scars on his body. Remiel notices a necklace Jun is wearing and asks, "Where did you get that?"

Jun replies, "Atsuko gave it to me on my last day of freedom for my birthday. She has the other half."

Remiel nods, satisfied with the answer. He connects Jun to the wires of the gem pod and steps away from it. He goes back over to the main interface that controls all sleeping pods and launches Jun.

Seiko watches as the gem pod closes, and Jun falls into a deep sleep. After a couple of minutes, he wakes up, feeling different.

He realizes that he's not in his home with his father and sister. Instead, Jun wakes up on a park bench, surrounded by towering trees and an uncanny red sky. He checks the watch on his left wrist, and it shows the time: six forty-five p.m.