Ep. 24: Hajime investigates the murder of author Goryu Tachibana at his Karuizawa villa after being framed for the crime.

24

Author Goryu Tachibana hosts a party at his Karuizawa villa, offering publishing rights for his next exposé to whoever decodes a specific phrase. Akira Kamoshita of Otoba Publishing House sends Hajime to attend. During the event, Tachibana harasses Miyuki, prompting Hajime to intervene and accidentally remove Tachibana's hairpiece. In response, Tachibana disqualifies Otoba Publishing House from the competition. When Hajime later attempts to apologize, he discovers Tachibana's body, having been bludgeoned to death by an unknown assailant who also knocked Hajime unconscious. Inspector Shigeru Nagashima of the Nagano Prefectural Police determines that all evidence implicates Hajime, leading to his arrest despite Inspector Kenmochi's objections. Hajime subsequently escapes police custody and sets out to identify the true killer.