**Chapter 96: The Watchful Eyes of the Night**

The feeling of being watched lingered long after Kageyama had left the park, a persistent presence that hovered at the edge of his awareness. At first, he tried to shake it off, telling himself it was just his imagination playing tricks on him. But as he walked back to his apartment, the sensation only grew stronger, until he could almost feel eyes boring into his skin. As he approached his building, Kageyama slowed his pace, scanning the shadows for any sign of movement. The streetlights cast long shadows across the sidewalk, making it seem like the darkness itself was alive and watching him. He quickened his step, his heart beating just a little bit faster. When he reached his apartment, Kageyama hesitated for a moment, wondering if he should go inside. Something didn't feel right, like he was being herded towards his apartment, rather than choosing to go there himself. He glanced around, but the street was empty, the only sound the distant hum of traffic. Shrugging off the feeling, Kageyama pushed open the door and stepped inside. The familiar scent of his apartment was a comfort, a reminder that he was safe and alone. But as he closed the door behind him, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was being followed, that unblinking eyes were trained on him from just beyond the threshold. Kageyama walked over to the window, pulling back the curtain to peer out into the night. The street was empty, but he could have sworn he saw a flicker of movement out of the corner of his eye. He strained his gaze, trying to see into the darkness, but there was nothing. The sensation was starting to unnerve him, and Kageyama found himself wondering if he had imagined the whole thing. Maybe the night had simply gotten to him, playing tricks on his mind. He turned away from the window, telling himself he was being ridiculous. But as he walked over to the kitchen to get a drink, he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. For a moment, he could have sworn he saw something behind him, a shadowy figure lurking just out of sight. Kageyama spun around, but there was no one there. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. It was just his imagination, he told himself. The night had been intense, and he was still reeling from the emotions that had surfaced. As he stood there, trying to shake off the feeling of unease, Kageyama heard a faint knock at the door. It was soft, almost tentative, and for a moment, he wondered if he was really hearing it. He hesitated, his heart pounding in his chest, and then, slowly, he made his way to the door. Peering through the peephole, Kageyama's heart skipped a beat. Standing in the hallway, her eyes shining with an otherworldly intensity, was a woman he had never seen before. She was dressed in a long, flowing coat, and her hair was blown back from her face, as if she had been walking in the wind. For a moment, Kageyama just stared, unsure of what to do. And then, with a sense of inevitability, he opened the door.