14: Facing the Higher -ups

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The next morning, Miyako awoke to an unexpected summons. A letter, bearing the official seal of the higher-ups, had been slipped under her door. She stared at it for a moment, her mind racing with questions and unease. Opening it, she read the terse message instructing her to appear before the council immediately.

Her heart pounded as she prepared herself, dressing in her usual uniform and steeling her resolve. She knew she had to be careful. The higher-ups were shrewd and would be watching her closely for any sign of dissent or suspicion.

The walk to the council chamber was a long one, each step echoing in the silent corridors. As she approached the imposing doors, she took a deep breath, reminding herself of the role she had to play. She needed to appear compliant and unthreatening, while secretly harboring her own plans.

The doors opened, revealing the austere chamber within. The higher-ups were seated around a large, polished table, their expressions a mixture of curiosity and scrutiny. The head of the council, a stern-faced man named Tokuda, motioned for her to enter.

"Miyako Gojo," Tokuda began, his voice cold and authoritative. "We have been concerned about your recent absence and the circumstances surrounding it. Please, take a seat."

Miyako complied, her posture straight and her expression carefully neutral. She met Tokuda's gaze, masking the resentment she felt towards these individuals who had betrayed her and so many others.

"We understand that you were caught in the attack and were injured," Tokuda continued, his tone lacking any genuine empathy. "Can you tell us about your ordeal?"

Miyako took a moment to gather her thoughts, choosing her words carefully. "Yes, I was injured during the attack. I was separated from the others and had to take some time to recover. I'm grateful to be back and ready to continue my duties."

The council members exchanged glances, their interest piqued by her calm demeanour. Tokuda leaned forward, his eyes narrowing slightly. "And during this time, did you encounter anyone or anything unusual? Any information that might be of interest to us?"

Miyako's heart raced, but she maintained her composure. She knew she had to tread carefully. "I did come across a few individuals who were trying to exploit the chaos, but I managed to evade them. As for any valuable information, I regret to say that I didn't uncover anything significant."

The council seemed to accept her answer, although Tokuda's gaze remained piercing. "Very well. We appreciate your dedication and resilience. Given the circumstances, we understand if you need more time to fully recover. However, we must ask—how do you feel about the higher-ups' decision not to send help when you were in danger?"

Miyako swallowed her anger, forcing a smile onto her face. "I understand that it was a difficult situation. The attack was unexpected, and resources were stretched thin. I don't hold any ill feelings. I forgive the decision made under such pressing circumstances."

The council members nodded, seemingly satisfied with her response. But inside, Miyako felt a surge of anger and betrayal. She knew they had abandoned her, just as they had abandoned countless others. Her forgiveness was a facade, a necessary lie to protect her true intentions.

"Your understanding is appreciated, Miyako," Tokuda said, his tone condescending. "We value your loyalty and look forward to your continued service. If you need any assistance, do not hesitate to reach out."

Miyako nodded, standing up and bowing respectfully. "Thank you. I'll do my best to uphold the values of the jujutsu society."

As she left the chamber, her mind was a whirlwind of emotions. She had managed to deceive them, but it had cost her a piece of her soul. The higher-ups' callousness and manipulation were clearer than ever, fueling her resolve to expose their corruption.

Walking through the halls of Jujutsu High, Miyako felt a renewed sense of purpose. She would gather more evidence, build her case, and find a way to bring justice to those who had been wronged. The path ahead was fraught with danger, but she was determined to see it through.

---

In the days that followed, Miyako continued her work in secret, carefully piecing together the puzzle of the higher-ups' corruption. She spent long hours in the archives, uncovering more discrepancies and hidden agendas. Each new revelation added to the weight of her mission, but it also strengthened her resolve.

She maintained her facade, interacting with her peers and superiors as if nothing had changed. Her brother Satoru remained a constant presence, his unwavering support a source of comfort in the storm of deception. She couldn't bring herself to share the full extent of her burden with him, but his faith in her gave her strength.

One evening, as she sat alone in her room, poring over another set of documents, a soft knock on her door broke her concentration. She quickly hid the papers and opened the door to find Satoru standing there, his expression one of concern.

"Miyako, you've been working yourself too hard," he said, his voice gentle but firm. "You need to rest."

She smiled, touched by his concern. "I know, Satoru. But there's so much to do, and I can't afford to waste time."

He sighed, stepping into the room and closing the door behind him. "I get that. But you won't be any good to anyone if you collapse from exhaustion."

Miyako nodded, knowing he was right. She needed to take care of herself if she was going to succeed in her mission. "I'll try to get some rest, I promise."

Satoru's expression softened, and he pulled her into a hug. "Just remember, you're not alone in this. Whatever it is, we'll face it together."

Miyako hugged him back, the warmth of his embrace a temporary balm to her troubled soul. "Thank you, Satoru."

As he left, Miyako sat back down at her desk, her resolve unwavering. She would continue to uncover the truth, to gather the evidence needed to expose the higher-ups. The fight for justice was far from over, but she was ready to face it head-on.

---

The following days saw Miyako redoubling her efforts, working tirelessly to uncover more evidence of the higher-ups' corruption. She reached out to trusted allies, discreetly gathering testimonies and corroborating information. Each new piece of evidence brought her closer to her goal.

She also kept up her interactions with the council, maintaining her facade of loyalty and dedication. It was a delicate balancing act, but she knew it was necessary to protect her mission. She couldn't afford to slip up, not when so much was at stake.

One afternoon, as she reviewed another set of documents, she stumbled upon a file that made her blood run cold. It detailed a covert operation, sanctioned by the highest echelons of the council, to eliminate sorcerers who posed a threat to their control. The operation had resulted in numerous deaths, all covered up to protect the higher-ups' secrets.

Miyako's hands trembled as she read through the file. The names of the fallen sorcerers were familiar, friends and colleagues who had died under mysterious circumstances. Their deaths had been orchestrated, their lives sacrificed to maintain the higher-ups' power.

Her resolve hardened into a steely determination. She would not let their deaths be in vain. She would expose the truth and bring the higher-ups to justice, no matter the cost.

As she continued her work, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched. The higher-ups were growing suspicious, and she knew she had to be even more cautious. But she couldn't stop now. The truth had to come out.

The fight for justice was a dangerous one, but Miyako was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. She would not rest until the higher-ups were exposed and the jujutsu society could truly live up to its ideals.

And in the end, she knew that the truth would prevail.

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