Abstract
A double whammy of a chapter, opening after Mio's accident in the underground passage which left her bereft of camera and torch and with Sae in hot pursuit. Evasive measures are necessary, as is a cool head to remain calm in her presence. On top of that, Mayu is around here somewhere, and the Tachibana house holds its own surprise in the chilling form of young Chitose.
Tachibana, 1F Large Storeroom
Sae hasn't followed you here, so you are quite safe. Saving at the lantern is essential, as Mio is now stripped of camera and thus utterly defenceless. The filament remains as a helpful guide, however. There's Herbal Medicine on the floor nearby, and a Spirit Orb to provide a happy clue that you will get the camera back eventually.
Tachibana, 1F Hallway of Contrasts
On entering the hallway, you may be aware of a subtle clue as to some danger nearby.
I kept waiting and waiting...
Well, the chapter is titled "Sae." Quickly turn left (towards the foreground) and run for it. Ignore the curtained-off areas and the storeroom, and just head for the door at the far end of the hall.
Tachibana, 1F Staircase-Hallway
The colour has returned, so you are safe for now. The door here isn't locked, but it doesn't lead anywhere you would want to be, so head upstairs.
Tachibana, 2F Staircase-Hallway
On reaching the top of the stairs, Mio finally catches sight of her sister and follows her to the end of a short corridor.
Mayu...
She turns back towards Mio, passing through a darkened patch and emerging on the other side as Sae.
You won't leave me alone again, right...?
Run run runnity run run run to Mio's left, and she will automatically take the initiative to dart through the door here.
Tachibana, 2F Row of Tatami Rooms-E
Sae is literally right behind you still, giggling at your panicking form. Don't worry about items, as you can (and will) be back here later under less stressful conditions. Simply run and take the unlocked door just around the corner.
Tachibana, 2F Row of Tatami Rooms-N
Stick to this wall and take the next door.
Tachibana, 2F Row of Tatami Rooms-S
Mio hears a bang from the adjacent room, and stops for a moment. The locked door shakes, and from behind it comes Mayu's voice begging for her to open it.
Ignore the trickery, and run on. The door you want to take, furthest away from Sae, is sealed with a paulownia design lock. The only choice is the other door far to Mio's left.
Tachibana, 2F Storeroom
The Paulownia Key is handily located right here on the shelf, next to a little doll with a remarkable resemblance to Sae.
Why did you leave me back then?
Unfortunately, this is a dead end. Sae knows you're in here. Brace yourself, and open the door.
Tachibana, 2F Row of Tatami Rooms-S
RUN. Run to the far wall, turn right, and head for the locked door. Sae will attack you, but hopefully you can outrun her lunge.
Tachibana, 2F Row of Tatami Rooms-W
As Mio enters, she takes control of the situation and darts into a small closet, sliding the door closed just as Sae opens the one opposite. Mio curls up in the corner, staring intently at the door. From Sae's point of view, we see that she has lost her trail.
She's gone...
The filament glows a brilliant orange, but eventually fades to nothing. Leave the closet and examine the mechanism next to the locked exit: It needs a doll of some sort.
Tachibana, 2F Storeroom
Take the Red Cord Doll, ignoring as bets you can Sae and her impressions.
Why didn't you come back? I kept waiting...
Tachibana, 2F Row of Tatami Rooms-S
RUN again, for the same reason as before.
Tachibana, 2F Row of Tatami Rooms-W
Be quick now, as Sae is hot on your tail. Use the doll on the mechanism to fire it up and be presented with a smaller version of the rotating lock in the Kiryu house.
Solution: Press both buttons three times.
Don't go... stay with me...
Kiryu House, 2F Connecting Corridor
Safety at last. Well, from Sae at least. The spirits of the Kiryu house are still around, and Mio is still lacking the necessary photographic equipment. You will have to rely on an exciting combination of running and healing as you head down the stairs and through the doll room to the underground passage.
Below Kiryu, A Passageway
You can just see the camera glowing in the distance, so run along and pick it up. A fleeting spirit temporarily obstructs your path before you can reach it, though there doesn't seem to be any way of capturing him.
The camera is thankfully undamaged, and the torch is similarly ready for use. So rejoice, and celebrate with a bound spirit.
Bound Spirit Alert: Crushed Men
1000pts
A short distance from the camera, just as the passageway bends to the right, examine the pile of rubble.
Tachibana, 1F Large Storeroom
Now, we are back in the Tachibana house and finally armed with some exorcismal power. There is also a save lantern here, and using it would be a good idea after those tatami rooms.
Tachibana, 1F Hallway of Contrasts
With the camera, it's now possible to unseal some of those doors. The one to the right is a good first candidate.
Tachibana, 1F Projector Room
The projector here starts by playing a scene of the sacrifice on Film Reel 2. Watch any of the other reels you may have been hoarding, then continue on and prepare for a fleeting spirit.
Tachibana, Sliding Screen Room
Spirit Alert: Evil Arm
Personal best: 3519pts
Immediately turn right and aim at the well beneath the stairs. This spirit doesn't affect the filament and will only appear with the aid of the Sense function.
The storeroom opposite has Film Reel 6, which you can go back and watch if you feel the urge. The exit is predictably locked, so head upstairs. Don't miss the Type-14 Film in the chest at the top.
In the raised central area is the folklorist's assistant's Green Diary 4, and the ever-so-powerful Zero Lens. The door to the rest of the house is locked for now, so head all the way back to the Hallway of Contrasts and break the seal on the second door.
Tachibana, 1F Twins' Room
Itsuki's brother's diary lies in the centre of the room, in the form of Crimson Diary 3. A Stone Mirror can just about be seen glowing in the drawers facing the altar.
Bound Spirit Alert: Male Twin
1000pts
Seek Mutsuki around the hanging kimono to the right of the altar.
Bound Spirit Alert: Ghost Writer
1000pts
The room's second spirit may be found only with the Sense function. To find him, conjure up the courage to examine the mummy seated atop the chest of drawers.
Tachibana, 1F Tatami Room-Hallway/Deluxe Tatami Room
Ignore the door seal spirit to the left for now, and explore the area to find Herbal Medicine glowing on the floor and Green Diary 3 on the nearby desk. Ignore the closet, as it can't be opened. The sets of double doors both lead to the same place, so take either.
Tachibana, 1F Regular Tatami Room
As you explore the room, take note of the minor physical disturbances. Admire the huge sword for a moment, then turn to the left and find Type-61 Film in the chest. The western half of the room has Crimson Diary 4, revealing the story behind this house's malign spirit. The closet at the far end is sadly empty, so leave and head back to the sealed door in the hall and snap the spirit to proceed.
Tachibana, 1F Clock Hall
You can find some useful Sacred Water beneath the stairs, but the ground floor is otherwise bare.
Tachibana, 2F Stairway Room
Mayu!
"Spirit" Alert: Crying Mayu
0pts
Mayu can be seen through the bars into Itsuki's room, sobbing apologetically and facing away from the door.
However, her cell is sealed with a bell design lock.
Spirit Alert: Crimson Kimono
Personal best: 1264pts
On trying the door, Chitose Tachibana appears to Mio's right. She waits a little while before running off, giving you plenty of chance to capture her.
For a little fun, ignore Chitose and head for the storeroom at the top of the staircase.
Tachibana, 2F Storeroom
On entering this little room, you'll find nothing worthwhile. You'll also find the door locked behind you as plaintive whispers echo all around. Draw out the camera to see "tasukete" - "help" - scribbled on every available surface. The cries eventually subside, and the door unlocks.
Tachibana, 2F Stairway Room
Follow Chitose now, unlocking the door to find familiar territory, though fortunately without Sae this time. Turn left into the raised tatami room.
Tachibana, 2F Raised Tatami Room
Look around for Type-14 Film, a Crimson Diary 2 explaining the bells you've been hearing, and a photo of Twins & Girl. You should also notice some scuffling sounds coming from underneath the floor. If you don't, Mio will. You know what this means: Load your film and spend those spirit points.
Tachibana, 2F Stairway Room
Examine the little doors that lead under the raised tatami room.
Mio crawls inside, shining her torch around and illuminating another chapter of the crimson diary. As she reaches for it, we see its owner crouched just to the side, watching Mio intently.
Hostile Spirit Alert: Crimson Kimono
Little Chitose is only young, and is appropriately weak, but she is quite capable of giving Mio a run for her money. She enjoys apppearing momentarily for a short weep before vanishing again, making her difficult to capture. her eyesight is poor but sufficient, so don't expect any cheating Mourner-type strategies to work.
When she finally decides to attack, it will either be a straightforward charge - remember to aim down to accomodate for her height - or with a chilling scream. Chitose's scream is her signature attack, but it deals no damage. Instead, should she be allowed to complete it, you will be blinded. Though you may catch a glimpse of Mio's torch in the gloom, it is otherwise pitch black. You will need to rely on the filament and Chitose's bell to keep track of where she is and avoid her further attacks. After a while, all will be light again.
She leaves behind Crimson Diary 1. Poor thing.
The game of hide and seek is just beginning. The lock to Mayu's room has a bell design, and Chitose is an obvious target when it comes to bells... Your task now is to find her many hiding spots and defeat her until she gives up the key. Follow the faint sound of bells, and look for cupboards in which she may be hiding.
Tachibana, 2F Row of Tatami Rooms-E
The next incarnation of Chitose is to the west, in a cupboard Mio is already familiar with. There is some strong Type-90 Film in this room, but it's not worth equipping for Chitose unless you're sure you can get her in every shot.
Tachibana, 2F Row of Tatami Rooms-N
The folklorist's assistant's Green Diary 1 and 2 may be found on the shelves here.
Tachibana, 2F Row of Tatami Rooms-S
The little storeroom now contains a pleasantly glistening Spirit Orb, and no sign of Sae anywhere.
Tachibana, 2F Row of Tatami Rooms-W
The gentle breeze of Chitose's bells sounds as Mio explores here. Prepare yourself, and then open the door to find her cowering in there.
Hostile Spirit Alert: Crimson Kimono
Same spirit, same strategies, larger room. There should be no problems here besides the usual Chitose-induced fear. Remember to hold your nerve and aim down aim down to catch her as she charges. The nice open area makes it easier to stand in the middle and prevent her from hiding behind walls.
That is it for now, so head back to the staircase hallway lantern and save. You've earned it.
Tachibana, 1F Tatami Room Hallway
Spirit Alert: Fleeing Girl
Personal best: 1679pts
As you pass the junction leading west, Chitose flees down the path towards the house entrance. You'll need to be a bit fast to spot her, and Mio doesn't seem to want to auto-aim this time.
Follow her.
Tachibana, 1F Room With Tatami
In the eerie curtained off area lies Film Reel 5, and if you keep your ears alert, the chapter's signature jingle. Fortunately, Chitose is not in here.
Tachibana, 1F Entrance
Do not try to leave the house. The door is sealed - you've seen it from the outside, if you recall - and trying will bring upon you a plague of spirits. If you want the points and the training, then by all means go ahead.
The boarded off area to the far east holds a chest with a handy Stone Mirror, which is useful because Chitose is lurking elsewhere in this room.
Hostile Spirit Alert: Crimson Kimono
Open the little sliding doors next to the entrance to the Room With Tatami to find little Chitose, yet again. Then run away to the lowered area for a better arena in which to fight.
With this task complete, head back into the tatami room hallway and through to the open area at the back.
Tachibana, 1F Deluxe Tatami Room
Hostile Spirit Alert: Crimson Kimono
The closet door appears to be stuck, but walk away and she will open it herself. Ignore her for a moment, as she cannot be hit until the battle starts in earnest.
This final incarnation of the crimson child is the strongest yet, and she will take a great deal more damage. Use stronger film than normal if you need to, or just prepare for a war of attrition if you are familiar with her attack pattern. Using double or triple Zero shots will help greatly here, though it can be difficult to keep her in sight as she reels from the attack.
With Chitose defeated at last, she drops the Bell Key and a Red Speckled Crystal for the radio. Her disappearance now means that the house is empty, however, and so random hostiles stalk the corridors. Mayu needs help, fast, so don't hang around.
Tachibana, 2F Itsuki's Room
You may notice that Mayu is no longer in the room. This may or may not come as a surprise. First, scour the place for information in the form of Green Diary 5, and Itsuki's Bound Diary 2 on the bookshelf. Finally, examine the desk for Bound Diary 1, detailing a way out, and some Fluorite and the Tachibana Crest to help you.
Through here... We can get out of the village...
Mio's sixth sense kicks in, and she turns breathlessly to see a distant shadow through the small room's bars. As it approaches, familiar flowing robes and flashes of red are illuminated in the dark. Sae rounds the corner, heading for the door. The frame shakes, and after a painful delay, slides open.
Mayu bursts in, running to cry on her sister's shoulder.
Mio... Mio... I don't know... ...what's happening to me... But, no matter what happens, I'll forgive you...
Mayu...
Don't leave me...
Of course, I won't leave you behind! I kept looking for you! Now, let's get out of here...
Here ends the chapter.
