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Twins
The following was written by Dave Endresak on Ep. 5-6 of Seraphim Call, and is a very good background into understanding these two complex episodes.
"The titles are "Within My Sister's Dream" and "Within My Sister's Love" - these are very important, as is just about everything else. For example, notice that in these
episodes, most every detail is presented as a split or mirror image - this is a critical artistic choice due to the story. Note that the fundamental theme of the story is the classic
yin-yang; that is, everything must remain in balance between Light and Dark, Good and Evil, Positive and Negative. Even something that seems purely one way will not
actually be that way if it is examined closely enough - it will always contain elements of its opposite. The other critical part of this is the term "genjitsu" which means "reality"...
but it actually means one's own "reality" or perception, understanding, realization or the truth, etc. Finally, when viewing the various scenes, realize the implication of "left brain"
versus "right brain" - that is, the left part of the brain is considered to be the source of objectivity, analytical ability, etc while the right half of the brain is considered to be the source
of creativity, intuitive ability, etc.
The basic story is that Shion and Sakura Murasame are twin sisters, 16 years old, and that their family is a very traditional Japanese family of great wealth who own the Murasame
Group conglomerate of companies. Their mother seems to be responsible for a new building being constructed on Acropolis, the island-city where all the stories take place.
One morning, a letter arrives... but the specific person it is addressed to has been accidently rubbed off the envelope, so only the family name remains. One thing that's certain is t
hat it's a love letter - this is obvious from the heartmark on it... well, it's obvious to Sakura, even if not to Shion. However, there's no way to tell if the letter is addressed to Shion or
Sakura. Since they can't tell who the letter is addressed to, they simply open it... after some discussion, that is. It's from a handsome, young, very famous violinist...
still, there's nothing to indicate specifically which girl he is talking about. Naturally Sakura knows who the young man is, but Shion has no idea.
Shion is the Dark personality. She's very dominant and strong, demanding, and forward. When they were younger, Shion always protected Sakura from boys who would
tease them or pick on them. Shion was always the leader of the two, though. It's only natural that a boy would like such an extroverted girl, right? That's what Sakura thinks,
anyway... the guy must have sent the letter to Shion because there's no way he would ever notice Sakura rather than Shion. The title of Shion's episode is "Within My Sister's Dream".
Shion's virtual reality simulator is called "Virtual Possession Simulation System" - the name of the system seems very cold, harsh, technical, and uncaring, much as Shion herself is
viewed.
Sakura is the Light personality. She's very self-effacing, withdrawn, and supporting. When they were little, boys who tried to tease her or pick on her would have to get
through Shion. Sakura always followed wherever Shion led, very happy to be with her sister. It's only natural that a boy would like such a sweet, gentle, supportive girl, right?
That's what Shion thinks, anyway... the guy must have sent the letter to Sakura because there's no way he would ever choose a domineering, hard-hearted girl like Shion rather
than Sakura. The title of Sakura's episode is "Within My Sister's Love". Sakura's virtual reality simulator is called "Dreaming Dream Simulation System" - the name of the system
seems very warm, romantic, loving, and caring, much as Sakura herself is viewed.
Shion envies Sakura - she envies the calm, supportive beauty of her sister and how such a demeanor is admired by so many people. At the same time, she rather despises Sakura's weakness, or her perceived weakness.
Sakura envies Shion - she envies the dominant, decisive beauty of her sister and how such a demeanor is admired by so many people. At the same time, she somewhat abhors Shion's coldness, or her perceived hard-heartedness.
Sakura insists that the young man must be interested in Shion and how wonderful that is... Shion, however, questions why this simply must be the case. Sakura replies that there's no way a guy would be interested in her, after all - she could never compare to her sister. Outwardly, Shion expresses total disinterest in such romantic notions... however, inwardly she's fuming at Sakura's self-effacing behavior and yet secretly hoping that perhaps a guy MIGHT actually be interested in a dominant, apparently heartless girl such as herself.
Shion remembers how things had been ever since the two of them were very little... how her sister Sakura had always been so sweet, naive, and prone to constant harassment by
boys, requiring Shion to take action to protect her and defend her, always being the leader and taking the responsibility for everything they did. In order to resolve the matter
of the love letter, she needs to know why Sakura is so self-effacing and why Sakura never thinks of herself rather than always thinking about others, especially Shion. Therefore,
Shion decides to use her virtual reality simulator. However, she longs to see the world through Sakura's eyes so that she can understand how Sakura feels and thinks - it's the
only way she can decide what to do. She enters Sakura's personal data into her simulator and enters the virtual world.
The first thing she notices when she awakens in Sakura's room and within a virtual Sakura body is that Sakura apparently has been working on a dot painting self-portrait; you notice it leaning against a wall in Sakura's virtual room. NOTE: this is within Shion's virtual simulation... the painting is NOT in Sakura's actual room at this point, but rather is Shion's perception of Sakura!
Once she goes to talk to Shion (speaking to her virtual self as Sakura, mind you) she returns to the real world. She speaks to Sakura, thinking just how beautiful her sister truly is and how much she envies her for her wonderous beauty... this leads her to create a portrait of Sakura, just as she had seen in the virtual Sakura's room.
Sakura remembers how things had been ever since the two of them were very little... how her sister Shion had always been so strong, decisive, and protective of her sister
Sakura, always taking the lead and responsibity for everything they did. In order to resolve the matter of the love letter, she needs to know why Shion is so cold-hearted about
dreamy and romantic ideals, and why Shion never seems to feel any emotions, especially joyous emotions. Therefore, Sakura decides to use her virtual reality simulator.
However, she longs to see the world through Shion's eyes so that she can understand how Shion feels and thinks - it's the only way she can become decisive like her sister is.
She enters Shion's personal data into her simulator and enters the virtual world.
Once she goes to talk to Sakura (speaking to her virtual self as Shion, mind you) she returns to the real world. She speaks to Shion, thinking just how beautiful her sister truly is and how much she envies her for her wonderous beauty. NOTE: there is now an apparent self-portrait dot painting in Shion's room; Sakura sees this when she speaks to her sister but does not bring attention to it, naturally. However... Sakura's admiration and envy for her sister's beauty leads her to create a portrait of Shion, just as she had seen in Shion's room.
The ending of Shion's episode shows that neither girl has wounds from the knife. However, note that after they kiss, it is Shion who says "Amai genjitsu..." or "Sweet reality..."
The ending of Sakura's episode shows that Shion has suffered some type of wound on her right hand - it's bandaged. Note that after they kiss, it is Sakura who murmurs "Amai genjitsu..." or "Sweet reality...""