Time Binder Episode 6

Time Binder

Episode 6: Nursing and Determination

The silence of the hideout enveloped Aoi and Ryoma. Inside the small house, she sat beside Sakamoto Ryoma, watching over his condition. Ryoma's breathing was shallow, and he had not yet regained consciousness. Aoi was not confident in how much help she could be, but she had no choice but to save him.

"Please, hang in there a little longer..."

Aoi gently stroked Ryoma's forehead and wiped away his sweat with the hand towel she had. Feeling his body temperature drop slightly, anxiety spread deep within her heart. Kondo sat in the corner of the room, watching her intently.

"Can't we call a doctor?"

When Aoi asked, Kondo shook his head with a stern expression.

"In this era, Sakamoto-sama is being targeted by the shogunate. Since there is no doctor we can trust, we have no choice but to nurse him here."

At those words, Aoi felt a strong sense of helplessness. She was keenly aware of how powerless she was against history right now. If Ryoma were to lose his life here, would history change, or would it return to its original course—she did not know the answer.

"What should I do..."

Aoi whispered in a small voice as she gripped Ryoma's hand. Praying that her warmth would reach his cold hand, she quietly solidified her resolve.

"I cannot give up. Saving him... that is my mission."

In that moment, the small spark of determination lit deep within her chest supported her strongly. If there was a meaning to being sent to this era, it must surely be to save him.

The next morning, Aoi placed her hand on Ryoma's forehead to check his condition. His body temperature seemed to be stabilizing. Throughout the night, she had given him water many times and tended to his wounds with the cloth she had. Her devotion seemed to be finally bearing fruit.

"Is Sakamoto-sama... going to pull through?"

Kondo called out to her. He also seemed to have been keeping watch all night, as he wore a tired expression.

"I still can't let my guard down, but... he seems a little calmer."

When Aoi answered, Kondo nodded slightly.

"We have no choice but to hide here for a while and wait for Sakamoto-sama to recover."

Aoi looked at Ryoma's face again. Until his condition stabilized, there was little she could do. However, in the meantime, she had begun to think. How could she be useful in this era, and was there a way to return to her original time?

"Kondo-san, is there anything I can do?"

When Aoi asked with determination, Kondo looked at her as if surprised for a moment, but then he smiled.

"It is enough that you continue to take care of Sakamoto-sama. But... I will have you tell me about your background eventually."

At those words, Aoi nodded with mixed feelings. The time would come when she would have to explain why she was in this era. When that time came, how should she answer—questions without answers were swirling in her heart.

That evening, Aoi gained a moment of freedom and went outside the house. Walking through the woods, she listened to the sound of the trees swaying in the wind. This quiet time seemed to heal her heart just a little.

"How... am I supposed to live here?"

She whispered to herself. There were too many things to think about regarding the meaning of living in this era and the influence she might have on history.

Suddenly, a thought occurred to her.

"Perhaps I will find a new version of myself in this era..."

At that moment, she smiled faintly. While still harboring anxiety about the future, she was beginning to accept life in this era.

To be continued in the next episode, Episode 7.