Chapter 41: Shadows Within

The darkness seemed to seep into Kageyama's bones as he spoke, his words hanging in the air like a challenge. Oikawa's eyes scanned the surrounding area, but he saw nothing out of the ordinary. People walked by, going about their evening routines, oblivious to the tension building between the two volleyball players. "What do you mean, we're being followed?" Oikawa asked, his voice low and urgent. He tightened his grip on Kageyama's arm, his eyes locked on the younger man's. Kageyama hesitated, his gaze darting back and forth as if searching for an escape. "I don't know," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I just feel like someone's watching us. Like, really watching us." Oikawa's expression softened, his eyes filled with concern. He knew that look, that tone. It was the same one Kageyama had when he was struggling with his own demons. "Kageyama, you're scaring me," he said, his voice gentle. "Let's just go home, okay? We can talk about this later." But Kageyama shook his head, his eyes fixed on some point in the distance. "No," he said, his voice firm. "I need to know what's going on. I need to know who that was." Oikawa followed Kageyama's gaze, but there was no one there. The street was empty, the only sound the distant hum of traffic. He sighed, frustration building inside him. "Kageyama, there's no one there," he said, his voice calm. "You're just spooked, that's all." But Kageyama wasn't convinced. He took a step forward, his eyes scanning the crowd as if searching for something. Or someone. Oikawa followed close behind, his heart pounding in his chest. He didn't like this, didn't like the look in Kageyama's eyes. As they walked, the buildings seemed to loom over them, casting long, ominous shadows on the ground. Kageyama felt like he was trapped in a nightmare, with no escape from the darkness that seemed to be closing in. Suddenly, he stopped, his head cocked to one side. "Do you hear that?" he whispered, his eyes locked on Oikawa's. Oikawa listened, but all he heard was the distant hum of traffic. "Hear what?" he asked, his voice low. Kageyama's eyes narrowed, his gaze fixed on some point in the distance. "Footsteps," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I could swear I heard footsteps." Oikawa's heart skipped a beat as he listened, his ears straining to pick up any sound. And then, just as he was about to tell Kageyama he was imagining things, he heard it too. Light, almost imperceptible footsteps, echoing off the buildings. Kageyama's eyes locked on Oikawa's, a look of fear and uncertainty written across his face. "I told you," he whispered, his voice trembling. "I told you we're being followed."