Kaguya was angry about the betrayal by Ai Hayasaka and Nao Hayasaka but wasn't hateful. Rin Ito's suggestion to rebuild their bond through a common enemy sounded very plausible. Moreover... she could use this to test Hayasaka.
Since being betrayed by friends, Kaguya had developed a habit of testing them. For example, if someone wanted to be her friend, she would subtly tell that person a 'secret.' If she didn't hear any rumors after a while, it proved there was no betrayal. Currently, only one person had passed her test, but Kaguya still hadn't officially acknowledged her as a friend!
Kaguya was only still wondering what Rin Ito's purpose was for doing all this. He worked hard to help Hayasaka take her out of the Shinomiya family, helped Hayasaka repair the relationship with her, and even went to great lengths to reduce the guilt in Hayasaka's heart... Yet, he avoided talking about his purpose when she asked.
Could it be... he likes Hayasaka!?
If that were the case, everything would make perfect sense. Love was not unfamiliar to Kaguya... not because she was experienced, but because the education she received at the Shinomiya family taught her one thing: Love is war! Both men and women deeply in love are the easiest to exploit. The one who falls in love first and confesses first is the loser and can be easily taken advantage of by the winner.
She had thought he was harboring some hidden scheme, but it turned out he was in love with Hayasaka... She had always seen him as composed, but he turned out to be a loser in love. He was even willing to become Hayasaka's 'enemy' just to help Hayasaka repair her relationship with her.
How... cute.
Although her inner court had already judged Rin Ito as the loser, Kaguya maintained her cold demeanor and spoke calmly. "What did Hayasaka promise you in exchange for your help?"
"She said anything, as long as I could take you out of the Shinomiya family."
Kaguya secretly nodded. It is indeed as I thought. It seemed Ai Hayasaka promised him they would become lovers after the task was complete in exchange for his help. But... he's truly adorable. As a loser in love, he would only be used by Hayasaka until he lost all value, and then mercilessly discarded.
"When do you plan to start?" Kaguya asked while looking at the unfamiliar surroundings.
"When are you free? But be careful not to reveal what happened today."
When asked when she was free, Kaguya paused. Usually, during the holidays, the Shinomiya family would arrange tutors for her, and her holiday curriculum would have been delivered to her before the vacation even began. But now... there were no arrangements, no restrictions. She could enjoy the holidays like any ordinary student.
Looking at the crowds coming and going within her line of sight, this feeling of 'freedom' became even more real, and her previously cold tone involuntarily softened slightly.
"I'm free anytime."
"Then I'll let you know once I've scheduled a time." Rin Ito looked up and around. He had no destination as he walked and took photos with Kaguya. They seemed to have wandered to a shopping mall near the school, a place Rin Ito was familiar with since Kaede often came here to work with Suzu on weekends.
"Right, let's go buy you a phone first. The one you're using can't connect to the internet, and that makes communication difficult."
This reminded Kaguya. Rin Ito had sent her a message before, but her phone only displayed Rin Ito's number, and the specific content showed up as 'This device does not support this content.'
"What did you send me before?"
"Nothing much, just a video of Nao." Rin Ito said nonchalantly. "I wanted to send it to you so you could see how she was, but there's no need now... If you watch it now, it might lower your expectations."
Rin Ito took Kaguya to choose a phone. The advantage of a physical store was immediacy; as long as you paid, you could get it right away. Although it might be more expensive, Kaguya certainly wasn't lacking money—she could buy the phone store if she wanted.
Seeing Rin Ito enter with Kaguya, the sales associate immediately greeted them warmly. "Hello, what kind of phone are the two of you looking for?" The sales associate subtly sized up the two to determine their relationship. Lovers? Siblings? Or just classmates? Sometimes, selling a phone requires convincing the one paying, not just the one using it.
"Show me what you have."
Hearing Kaguya's words, the sales associate immediately began her enthusiastic presentation. Noticing the camera hanging around Kaguya's neck, the associate focused on phones with good camera features.
"It would be great if Hayasaka were here; she knows more about these things."
"You don't need the phone for anything special. Just choose an expensive, good-looking one."
Hearing Rin Ito's suggestion, Kaguya didn't hesitate further. She didn't need to worry about cost-effectiveness and immediately chose an expensive, aesthetically pleasing phone. Then, Kaguya stared intently at Rin Ito at the counter.
"....I didn't bring any money."
"...."
Rin Ito was speechless. Regardless of whether she had visited a mall before, Hayasaka probably always carried the money, so how would Kaguya have any? He had thought earlier that since she had money, choosing an expensive phone meant high quality, even if it was overpriced. Now... I should have chosen a cheaper one for her! Hmph... I'll definitely get my revenge later! If I can't get it back from her, I'll get it back from Ai Hayasaka or Nao!
After buying the phone and getting a SIM card, Rin Ito decided to take her to play some less expensive games. Rin Ito remembered there was an arcade in the mall.
After exchanging tokens, Rin Ito took Kaguya to a claw machine. Just as Kaguya was curiously looking at the dolls in the machine, Rin Ito subtly reached around from behind Kaguya and gently held her hand.
"Here... hold on here. Use this joystick to move the claw over the doll you want, and keep your other hand on this button. Press it once you've lined it up... Ah, too bad, you didn't catch it. See? Do you understand now?"
"!!!!!"
The sudden physical contact left Kaguya's mind blank. Her cheeks involuntarily flushed. Never before had anyone, let alone a man, touched her like this—not even the girls at school. Her inner court immediately convened.
[He likes Hayasaka; he's just showing us how to play!]
[Perhaps ordinary people treat their friends this impolitely.]
Feeling Kaguya's stiff body, Rin Ito secretly smiled... She's flustered just by this? What a cute young lady.
Rin Ito released Kaguya's hand, pretending that he was just showing her how to play the claw machine. Kaguya finally snapped out of it. After a fierce debate, her inner court concluded that Rin Ito was only teaching her how to play the claw machine.
"Alright, try it yourself."
Kaguya shook off the strange thoughts and focused her attention on the claw machine. Once, twice... why can't I catch it even after more than ten tries!?
"Bang!"
In a fit of anger, Kaguya, whose cheeks were slightly twitching, slammed her hand heavily on the machine. Although the machine wasn't that fragile, the noise attracted the attention of a staff member. Rin Ito smiled wickedly and grabbed Kaguya's hand.
"Hurry, let's go. It'll be troublesome if we get caught for damaging it."