After all the theories of the amateur detectives have been dismissed, the Empress (Fuyumi Irisu) asks Hōtarō personally to solve the mystery in a way to avoid failure. He surprises all his friends by going to school during the holidays but finally comes up with a solution with which almost satisfies everyone (the notable exception is the prop master). However, Mayaka's question after the test showing of the film makes him realize that he forgot to find a role to the rope that the prop master mentioned the script writer had asked him to provide but had not put to use yet in the unfinished film.