100% spoiler. Stop reading if you haven't played.
(Story Background)
1960s Taiwan under Martial Law (White Terror Period). A senior high girl student Fang RayShin (Ray), was in a happy and warm family. She also did well in school, straight A and got some awards. Beloved by other students and teachers. Unfortunately, her family shattered pieces because her civil servant father cheated on her mom. Ray's mom can't stand anymore and look private inspector for help to catch his tripping. Then she reported to the government with corruption evidence. Ray's family were fell apart after her father was taken away by police. Finally, Ray shocked and changed, became a problem student.
After she became a problem student, school arrange a teacher Chang MingHui as her counselor. Unexpectedly, they fell in love. Mr. Hung gave Ray a White-Jade Deer Pendant as a keepsake after a movie date.
For a teacher who had studied aboard in love with a student was not a big deal. But it's unacceptable for a very conservative society in that time. Besides, Mr. Hung and history teacher Yin TsuiHan (Yin) organized a secret book reading club. Led students to read prohibited books. Ms. Yin warned Teacher Chang away from Ray since she was afraid of pulling Ray into danger.
Ray misunderstood that Mrs. Yin took Mr. Chang away from her since only partial eavesdropping. Ray reminded what her mother said when police took her father away. And then she did the same thing. She made up her mind to revenge Ms. Yin and take Mr. Chang back by providing Instructor Bai GuoFang (Bai) the list. To do so, she used her junior Wei ChungTing (Wei) who admired Ray. Ray lied that she wanted to read the books too but actually only want to get the list (gun metaphor). Finally, Ray became a "merciless patriot".
Wei is a visionary person. He confessed that the whole book club affair for protecting Ray and his family after noticed danger is coming (typhoon alert metaphor). All other students cursed and bullied him as a "snitcher".
Except for Ms. Yin escaped aboard, Mr. Chang and all reading club students were executed brutally or tortured to dead. Wei was locked in jail for at least 26 years (rather 15 years).
Ray realized what had she done and lost her family, friendship, and love. The report award ceremony became the last straw crush her. In the end, she can't bear anymore and jumped from the roof. People who kill themselves cannot go through Acheron and reincarnate. Only can reexperience the terrible memory as an earthbound spirit. Furthermore, her spirit shattered and lost her memory after refaced too many times catastrophy. This game is to help Ray to recollect her memory and honestly face what had she done so that she can let go the grief and reincarnate.
The name of the game in Chinese should be "Back to School". Which means Ray's savior Wei back to school several times, and Ray relieves her grief and pressure in the end. (good end). For the bad end, Ray still cannot stand and face the truth. Continually cycle her misery. However, few countries have the "back to school" custom. So Red Candle named it as "detention". Which still appropriate for earthbound spirit Ray, isn't it.
Taiwanese Horror Game "Detention" Explanation and Metaphor (element and symbol)
