The lost continent

Chapter 11

Kirishima ties the ropes to the mooring, hands feeling better already. Mina was surprised at the quickness of which his skin toughened up, scabbing over and making his palms rough. He thinks they feel more like Bakugou’s, now.

Mina and Bakugou go off to scope out the meeting place for information, and Kirishima heads to the nearest messaging port to send another letter to his sister. She would be enamoured with the beaches here, the white sand and swaying trees- even the harbour docks are inviting. He strolls easily through the streets until he meets Sero, who walks with him to their meeting point.

Their seller is apparently an old resident of the island, but when they meet Bakugou and Mina in the distance, they’re... with a couple of kids.

“Oi! Kiri!” Mina calls out. She’s laughing, waving him over. “Meet our sellers!”

Kirishima is already grinning as he approaches. They’re two girls, around the same age, faces streaked with dirt, eyebrows furrowed together.

“They’re a couple of brats.” Bakugou spits by their feet. The smaller girl spits back, narrowly missing his boot.

“You’re a brat, pirate!” she yells, fists at her sides. They can’t be more than ten years old.

Sero and Kirishima glance at one another and laugh, unable to keep their amusement from showing.

“So what’s the hold up, Captain?” Sero asks. “You aren’t gonna take their little journal?”

“We just got here, dumbass.” Bakugou says. “Now, kid, show me the papers.”

“How did you guys get involved in this?” Kirishima asks, crouching to their level.

The taller girl sniffs, sticking her dirty little nose into the air. “Grandma’s legs is bad, she doesn’ wanna be walkin’ all over town lookin’ for a buncha filthy pirates just for a few gems.”

“So she sent you?” Kirishima laughs. He thinks it’s pretty careless, but, there really were all kinds of people in the world. “You’ve got a big responsibility.”

“We can handle it.” she says. She reaches into the bag at her side. “I dunno why she’s gonna get money for a crummy ol’ journal, but she says we can have new dresses if we sells it.”

Bakugou reaches down and snatches the journal, quick.

“Hey!” the girl shouts, and slams her fist into his arm.

He smirks down at her, and she pouts.

“Your hat is stupid .” she says.

Bakugou rolls his eyes and nudges her away.

“Bakugou…” Kirishima sighs.

“What?” he says, frowning. “It’s taking too long.”

“That was rude.” Kirishima says. “They’re just kids.”

“I’m not a kid, I’m eleven .” the shorter girl says, crossing her arms.

“Oh, sorry.” Kirishima says. “But he still shouldn’t be rude to you.”

“Kiri, need I remind you who the fuck I am?” Bakugou says, breathing deep.

Kirishima winces as he swears. “I’m just saying, Captain.”

“We’re gonna get out friend here to read the book, and we’ll see if we want to buy it, okay?” Mina says kindly.

“Okay.” The girls nod at her, obviously liking her more than Bakugou, who keeps scowling at them.