The Killing School Life was over. Monaca could barely believe it. Well, that was a lie for the other's benefit more than anyone else's. In truth, she had foreseen this ending by the fifth investigation even as Kotoko and Masaru cheered at Monokuma's return.
Big Sis underestimated her classmates as well as overestimated herself. Faking a trial so soon was about to raise some red flags even in the most idiotic members of the surviving students. Well at least the finale was entertaining and Big Sis got what she wanted...in a way.
But now is not time to mourn or despair, though that was a delicious feeling, even though Monaca had already predicted the outcome hours before its arrival. No now was time for revenge. The Preparation for the Demon Killing Plan was going smoothly with Monokumas being created by hour.
Still, something about it felt... lacking. A part of her mind itched, the same way it did when she'd solved a puzzle too quickly or grown bored of a game after one playthrough. Yes, the Demon Killing Plan would be fun; watching the despair spread like wildfire through the adults who dared to defy them would bring endless smiles to her cute, innocent face. But it wasn't personal enough. Revenge against the world's adults was broad, sweeping—a flood drowning everything in its path. Monaca wanted something more specific, something intimate that would tie loose ends together in a way that truly did Big Sis proud.
Monaca spun lazily in her wheelchair, her pigtails styled after Big Sis bouncing with the movement. On the outside, her childish giggle echoed in the secret lair. Kotoko paused mid-bite of a cookie, shooting her a curious glance. Nagisa, predictably, looked up from his clipboard, his expression that perfect blend of exasperation and concern.
"Monaca, are you even listening?" he asked, his small voice sharp but trembling, as always. He was so serious, so eager to please. So easy to manipulate.
"Oh, of course, Nagisa!" Monaca chirped in her usual sugary-sweet tone. Her emerald eyes sparkled as she tilted her head, feigning innocence. "Monaca always listens to her dear Nagisa!"
Nagisa sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "We've already got everything in motion for the Demon Killing Plan. If we follow the timeline, everything should be in place within three weeks. The Monokuma production rate—"
"Mm, mm! Monaca knows," she interrupted with a hum, twirling one of her pigtails around her finger. "But, Nagisa, don't you think it's boring to do the same thing over and over?"
His brow furrowed. "What are you talking about? This plan is—"
"Oh, no, no, it's a good plan! Monaca loves it. But..." She pouted, sticking out her lip just enough to play the part. "Don't you think it'd be more fun if we made the adults squirm in different ways? You're so smart, Nagisa! You should help Monaca think of new games!"
Nagisa hesitated, glancing nervously at Kotoko and Masaru, who were clearly more interested in their snacks than the conversation. "Games?" he repeated.
Monaca grinned sweetly, tilting her head further. "Oh, you know! Fun little things! Like how Big Sis made the students in the Killing School Life play that wonderful killing game! It's so creative, don't you think? Monaca bets it'd work just as well on... oh, I don't know... different targets!"
Nagisa froze. For a brief, beautiful moment, Monaca saw the wheels in his head turning, and the suggestion she had so carefully planted took root. "You mean..." he started, his voice slow and unsure, "another killing game?"
Monaca clapped her hands together, her face lighting up with fake excitement. "Exactly! Nagisa's so smart! Maybe we could pick some super special people this time—people who would make the game even better!"
She watched as his expression darkened, a flicker of doubt flashing across his face. It was delicious. He didn't even realize he was playing right into her hands. "Special people? Like who?"
"Oh, Monaca's just thinking out loud!" she chirped, waving him off. "But wouldn't it be fun if we brought in people who were... close to the students from the Killing School Life? Like their families! Their best friends! Oh, oh, or even the people they cared about the most! That way they'd have even more despair waiting for them once they find out that their families weren't spared and endured the same thing they did!!!"
The idea hit Nagisa like a thunderbolt. He opened his mouth to protest, to argue that it would be too wastefull, but Monaca could see the hesitation in his eyes. He didn't say no.
Perfect.
