resolved
after a lot of searching on the net, realised that the smash repair guys must have saw the key programming plugs when they removed the driver's sill panel and put them together after they were done.

hence the car was in key reprogramming mode the entire time. you can tell if you disconnect and reconnect the car battery and the lock button on your remotes quickly lock and unlock the car.
for future references:
solution was to pull the driver's sill panel out, pull the clearish white plug apart, put the sill panel back. and voila.
apologies if all of you knew this and I make it sound like I just discovered America.

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02STi - Vipec, Oval Varex, APS CAI with K&N Filter, Walbro 255L, 53MM Koyorad & STD Coilover

19.5psi tune 271.6HP@6000 351.3NM@4700