Kafka on the shore by Murukami, 23: The ghost

In Chapter 23 of "Kafka on the Shore," Kafka indeed encounters a ghost-like figure during his stay in the Komura Memorial Library. The scene takes place late at night when Kafka is unable to sleep when he sees a ghost-like figure of a young woman sitting at a table, staring at the painting of the young boy on the shore.

The mysterious figure doesn't seem to notice Kafka's presence initially, and he hesitates, unsure whether to engage in a conversation. The ethereal nature of the figure creates a sense of intrigue and adds to the novel's surreal atmosphere. This encounter is Kafka's first glimpse into the enigmatic world of Miss Saeki and her connection to the painting, and it foreshadows a deeper relationship between them in the story.

The scene with the ghost-like figure deepens the novel's exploration of the boundaries between reality and the metaphysical, contributing to the complex web of interconnected narratives in "Kafka on the Shore."