[Sushi-Y]

Originally Posted by Davidj

That is an answer to a question I was not asking.

It is the answer to your question. Except it's not clear since it was never explained in the anime.

Spoiler:

At the end of Meakashi-hen in the game, there was a dream-like sequence portraying a school scene where Shion and Satoko got along perfectly. Shion acted like an older sister towards Satoko, watching over her in school (+making sure she's eating her veggies, etc.). Pretty much what we saw in this episode.

This vision most likely occured at the time of Shion's fall to her death in Meakashi-hen. Shion regretted everything she has done, and apologized to Satoshi for forgetting her promise. This is where most gamers learned that the 'oni' (demon) that has possessed Shion is really what we call 'doubt' (and in its extreme form, paranoia).

This "dream" sequence is a view into what would've happened if Shion had resisted from becoming paranoid.
In Meakashi-hen, she failed. This time, she succeeded.

When I mentioned in my earlier episode comment about how Keiichi and the gang was able to avoid Onikakushi-hen in this episode (because they openly talked about the death incidents this time), this is what I meant.

What determines if someone becomes paranoid (ie. Rena in Tsumihoroboshi-hen)? That will be explained later.

Originally Posted by Mirrinus

I think the relationship that most intrigued me in this episode was Shion's complete 180 in her treatment of Satoko. I understand where this is coming from, but it's still a bit odd. It seems like characters can change immensely from one repetition to the next. Does this happen because of a "strong force of will" developed in a previous repetition? I think the game makes mention of how a "strong will" will cause something to happen consistantly with each repetition. Could Shion's relationship with Satoko now count as an example of "strong will"? Can such a thing develop and carry over to subsequent repetitions?

Or I'm just overanalyzing...

You're not overanalyzing. Actually, you'd be surprised at the answer. ^^;