**The Shadow in the Night**

Part 42

The footsteps grew louder, and Oikawa's eyes widened as he realized that Kageyama was right. Someone was following them. He glanced around, but the street was still deserted, the only sound the soft echo of footsteps on the pavement. Without a word, Oikawa took Kageyama's hand, his grip firm and reassuring. "Let's get out of here," he whispered, pulling Kageyama in the opposite direction. But Kageyama resisted, his eyes fixed on some point in the distance. "No," he said, his voice firm. "I want to see who's doing this." Oikawa's heart was racing as he tried to pull Kageyama along. "Kageyama, come on," he said, his voice urgent. "Let's just go home and forget about this." But Kageyama was resolute. He took a step forward, his eyes scanning the crowd, and Oikawa followed, his heart pounding in his chest. The footsteps grew louder, and he could feel his adrenaline spiking. As they turned a corner, a figure emerged from the shadows. Oikawa's eyes narrowed, his grip on Kageyama's hand tightening. The figure was tall and imposing, its features obscured by the darkness. Kageyama's eyes locked on the figure, his gaze intense. "Who are you?" he demanded, his voice firm. The figure didn't respond, instead choosing to move closer, its footsteps echoing off the buildings. Oikawa's eyes flicked to Kageyama, and he could see the fear and uncertainty written across his face. Suddenly, the figure stopped in front of them, its eyes gleaming in the dark. Oikawa could feel Kageyama's tension, his body rigid with fear. He stepped forward, his eyes locked on the figure, and tried to shield Kageyama from harm. "Hey," he said, his voice firm. "What do you want?" The figure didn't respond, instead choosing to stare at Kageyama with an unnerving intensity. Oikawa could feel Kageyama's eyes on him, could sense his fear and uncertainty. And then, just as suddenly as it had appeared, the figure vanished into the night. Oikawa and Kageyama were left standing there, staring at the empty space where the figure had been. "Who was that?" Kageyama whispered, his eyes wide with fear. Oikawa shook his head, his mind racing. "I don't know," he admitted, "but we're getting out of here." As they turned to leave, Kageyama's phone suddenly buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, his eyes scanning the screen, and his face went pale. "What is it?" Oikawa asked, his voice low. Kageyama's eyes locked on his, a look of fear and uncertainty written across his face. "It's a text from an unknown number," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "It says... 'I'm watching you'."