The lost continent

Chapter 3

“Kirishima, tell Shouji to bring us to the nearest port. I need to get some work done.” Bakugou says, without looking back.

“Who’s Shouji?”

“He’s the giant.” Mina says, and Kirishima knows who she’s talking about. The quiet man with arms the size of three, and his face half covered by a black bandana.

Before Kirishima goes to find him, he slips back into Bakugou’s quarters to find his pants. He pulls them on, passing the vanity mirror. He lets out a grieving sound when he sees his reflection- his hair is tangled and sticking out everywhere, and his neck and chest are covered in dark bruises. He leans close and he’s sure he sees bite marks. When he looks at his hips, he swears he can see fingerprints.

He feels himself turn red, and he goes to find the giant.

He finds Shouji inspecting the rigging, a jet-black bird perched atop his shoulder. It eyes Kirishima as he approaches, its gaze almost human.

“Excuse me, Shouji.” Kirishima says. The man looks at him. “Uh, Captain Bakugou says we should set a course for the nearest port.”

The man nods.

“So, um.” Kirishima clears his throat. “This is the rigging, huh?”

Shouji stares.

“Can you show me the ropes?” Kirishima grins, and it takes a moment, but Shouji’s eyes crinkle up in a smile.

“Alright.” Shouji says. “These operate the masts, sails, booms, and yards.”

Kirishima nods. “What’s a boom?”

“It’s the pole horizontal on the sail.” Shouji points, and Kirishima nods again.

“How does it move?”

Shouji hands Kirishima a rope. “Here. I’ll tell you what to do- you’ll set the sails for the course.”

Kirishima spends the morning adjusting the sails to the winds Mina follows to their port. The sun beats down, hot enough for Kirishima to shed his shirt and tie it around his waist.

By the evening, Shouji’s blackbird, Tokoyami, keeps lifting his beak to the sky. Eventually, he flies away, and Kirishima watches him quickly disappear.

“He leaves when we’re close to land.” Mina leans over to Kirishima, putting her elbow on his shoulder. “We’re gettin’ close. Good job on the ropes today, Kiri.”

“Good idea, Mina.” Bakugou walks up beside them, the heels of his boots clicking heavy on the deck. “He needs a name.”

“Captain?” Mina says. Kirishima turns, too. He looks Bakugou in the eye.

“We can’t sail all over these seas sayin’ we’ve got a Kirishima with us. Then we’re a target. So Kiri it is.” Bakugou says.

Kirishima steps back as Bakugou steps close, tucking a finger under his chin. He glances at Mina, who’s standing by, unfazed.

“Looks like our new deckhand has a sunburn.” Bakugou snorts. “I’ve got something to help with that.”

Bakugou walks down the stairs of the upper deck to the stern, and Mina nudges his shoulder.

Kirishima looks at her.

“He wants you to go with him.”

“Oh.” Kirishima says, turning red. He grew comfortable with the crew when he was alone with them, but Bakugou’s presence reminded him of the embarrassing show he so willingly performed.

He follows Bakugou down to his quarters again. The setting sun lights up the room, but Bakugou lights a lamp anyways. Kirishima stands by the doorway, watching as Bakugou opens a glass cabinet, filled with vials.