The Strongest Classroom

A reply gets longer once you've decided to write it.

At my desk that morning, I opened the envelope and spent an hour staring at the writing paper. After writing and crumpling three drafts, only three lines remained.

'I accept. However, all preparations and strategy for the clearing will be made public on stream.'

'I am a commander who can't keep secrets, but if that's acceptable, please make use of me.'

'Hiiragi Shinichi'

I don't know whether this was an appropriate letter to send to the government. But they were three honest lines.

With six days left until the deadline, the envelope vanished from my desk.

And on this morning's stream, I reported it to all five—including the fifth member, who had returned last night. Well, starting today, it was time for strategy meetings. We were going to clear the Abyss. The uproar when I said that was probably enough for a lifetime.

'Hiiragi Shinichi Accepts Appointment as Overall Commander of 〈Abyss〉'

'Condition: "Full Disclosure of the Entire Process"—Agency Grants Unprecedented Blanket Approval'...