“Welcome to Hot Ones, the show with hot questions and even hotter wings. I’m your host Ren Hoh.
The set glowed under studio lights, a neat lineup of sauces climbing in intensity down the table.
“Today, we’re joined by Japan’s number 5 hero, Bakugou Katsuki.
Bakugou leaned back in his chair, a smirk already pulling at his mouth.
“Tch. Finally, something that’s not a damn press conference.”
A small laugh slipped from Ren. “I like the honesty.”
“Anyways. We’ve got ten wings, ten sauces, working our way up in heat. You ready?
Bakugou snorted, already reaching forward. “Quit talking and let’s start eating.”
Ren watched him take the first bite with zero hesitation.
“Alright we’ve had a lot of heroes come through here but you might be the first who actually looks excited. You look like you actually like this setup what makes this better than a normal interview for you?”
“I guess that it’s something that I can do He gestured lazily with the wing.”
He swallowed leaning back.
“Those other interviews sit there answer the same recycled crap smile for the cameras. This is better. You ask I eat I answer. Done.”
“and the food’s not trash.”
Ren nodded. Strong start.
Bakugou didn’t even wait grabbing the next wing.
“You’re known for having let’s call it a strong personality Ren said. What’s a pet peeve that instantly sets you off?”
“People who talk big and can’t back it up.”
“Or when someone’s in the way hesitating overthinking slowing everything down. He clicked his tongue. If you’re gonna act then act.”
Ren leaned forward slightly. “There’s always behind the scenes moments fans never see what’s a moment during training that shouldn’t have worked but did?”
Bakugou huffed out a short laugh.
“Dunno if they’d air it but there was this one training exercise.”
He wiped his hands already amused.
“Extras thought it’d be funny to surprise attack me. Planned the whole thing out.”
“I figured it out in like ten seconds. Waited til they jumped me then blasted all of em at once.”
“They were pissed. Said I ruined it.”
Ren smiled. “Sounds about right.”
“You’ve spent a lot of time around your classmates Ren said. Who gets under your skin the most on a daily basis and why haven’t you blown up at them yet?”
Bakugou exhaled through his nose.
“Deku’s annoying as hell. Always muttering always analyzing.”
“But he doesn’t quit. So whatever.”
“Still annoying.” he laughs to himself.
Ren nodded toward the next wing. “In a real fight what annoys you more a weak opponent or someone who almost matches you but falls short?”
Bakugou answered immediately.
His eyes sharpened slightly.
“A weak opponent’s just a waste of time.”
“But someone who almost gets there.”
“That’s irritating. Means they could’ve been more.”
Ren watched him closely now as he reached for the next wing.
“How you holding up? You feeling the heat?”
“Alright I like the confidence. Let’s more on to another question.”
“You’ve had rivals teammates people pushing you. Who forces you to be better even when you don’t feel like it.”
“He’s always there. Keeps pushing. His jaw tightened slightly. Makes you keep up.”
Ren raised his brows slightly but let it pass.
Ren didn’t reach for a question right away this time he was watching.
“You’re not even slowing down.” he said half laughing. “Most people are hitting the milk by now.”
Bakugou scoffed already grabbing the next wing.
“What can I say I like food.”
“And spice. These are nothing.”
“Nothing” he says Ren muttered glancing at the camera. “Alright tough guy let’s test that.”
He leaned forward slightly.
“You put a lot into training into being the best but outside of all that what do you actually enjoy?”
Bakugou paused mid chew for a second longer than usual.
A small click of Bakugou’s tongue.
“Yeah” Bakugou shot back like it should be obvious. “I’m not eating garbage every day.”
“Helps clear your head. You control everything heat timing flavor.”
Bakugou smirked slightly.
Ren noticed the pace hadn’t changed but Bakugou’s ears were just a little red now.
“Alright” Ren said casually. “This is where we start getting into dangerous territory.”
Bakugou snorted. “Tch try it.”
“You don’t seem like someone who wastes time on people so what does it take for you to actually date someone?”
Bakugou froze for half a second.
Ren shrugged. “People wanna know. You’re intense, you’re competitive does that translate or are you secretly—-“
“Don’t finish that sentence.”
“Soft…” Ren finished anyway.
Bakugou shot him a look then a pause.
Ren blinked slightly. “Oh straight answer. I respect it.”
Bakugou shrugged still chewing.
Ren tilted his head. “Didn’t last?”
Ren nodded slowly. “Meaning…?”
Bakugou exhaled through his nose clearly already over explaining.
“Didn’t have the same priorities.”
“Didn’t want the same things.”
“No point dragging that out.”
Then Ren’s expression shifted just slightly.
“But things are different now?”
Bakugou’s eyes flicked up.
Ren continued casual but deliberate.
“Because your current partner people have been noticing.”
“Ever since a few interviews back the comments have been blowing up. People love you two.”
Bakugou clicked his tongue but there was no real bite to it.
Ren laughed. “Oh they’ve got one. It’s you.”
“It’s been great. Never thought I’d love and admire someone so much.”
“She handles her own shit and work responsibilities and she doesn’t slack off.”
“And she actually makes time. Doesn’t half ass anything.”
Bakugou wiped his hand continuing without being pushed now.
“I don’t have to question where I stand with her.”
Ren’s expression softened just slightly.
Obviously Bakugou said like it was stupid to think otherwise. I’m not dealing with mixed signals and guessing games.
A small pause then he added.
I’m not I’m agreeing with you Ren said. That’s a high bar.
Good Bakugou replied immediately. It should be.
Another bite slower now but steady.
And she doesn’t get intimidated. Most people do.
Ren tilted his head. By you
Then more quietly but still firm.
She calls me out when I’m being an ass.
Ren let out a small laugh. That must happen often.
Bakugou smirked slightly.
And you listen Ren pushed.
Bakugou paused just briefly.
Don’t make it a thing Bakugou snapped but there was no real heat behind it.
That’s probably the most honest answer you’ve given all day.
Bakugou grabbed his drink rolling his eyes.
Ren watched him closely as he reached for the next wing.
Alright he said leaning back slightly. Now I’m actually curious.
Bakugou glanced at him. About what.
You Ren replied. Because everything you’ve said so far drive standards not wasting time
You don’t strike me as someone who just wings it.
Bakugou scoffed taking a bite.
Ren smiled. So let’s talk about it.
What’s the end goal for you
Bakugou didn’t answer immediately but he didn’t brush it off either.
He chewed slower this time.
Ren nodded. Still the top
The hell do you mean still
Ren laughed lightly. Alright fair.
Bakugou paused not long but enough to matter.
He wiped his hand once before answering.
A life that actually works.
Ren tilted his head. Define that.
Bakugou exhaled through his nose.
Not chaos. Not half finished shit.
Ren watched him more carefully now.
Bakugou didn’t hesitate this time.
Ren’s brows lifted slightly but he didn’t interrupt.
Bakugou kept going like it was obvious.
I’m not building anything without her in it.
Ren leaned forward a bit. So you’ve thought about it long term.
Then more specific more grounded.
House. Stability. Kids maybe.
That one actually caught him off guard.
Bakugou frowned slightly.
I’m not I just people wouldn’t expect that from you.
Tch. That’s their problem.
I’m not half assing anything. If I’m doing it I’m doing it right.
Ren nodded still a little surprised but smiling now.
So this isn’t just we’ll see what happens.
Bakugou shrugged grabbing his drink.
Ren shook his head amused.
Bakugou paused for half a second then smirked just a little.
“Alright” he said “final wing.” He smiled sliding the last wing forward.
“Don’t sound so excited. This is where people break.”
and for the first time all interview
“Tch— fuck…that’s got a kick.-“
Ren’s head snapped up immediately.
Bakugou turned slightly waving him off as he coughed once more grabbing his drink.
“you good?” Ren asked half laughing.
Bakugou leaned back in his chair sucking in a breath through his teeth before taking a long drink.
Then he straightened rolling his shoulder like nothing happened.
Bakugou shot him a look there was still a faint flush on his ears now more obvious than before.
“You almost got me there.”
That got a laugh out of Ren and the crew behind the camera.
“Almost.” Ren repeated. Man I heard that cough.
Ren shook his head smiling.
Alright alright since you survived last question.
Bakugou wiped his hand still composed despite the lingering heat.
Ren leaned forward slightly tone shifting less teasing now.
You’ve made it clear you don’t waste time on things that don’t matter. You walked away from something that didn’t meet your standards.
This relationship you show up for it. You back it. You’re proud of it.
Bakugou’s eyes flicked up steady.
So answer this straight. What makes this one worth it
Bakugou exhaled once slower now heat still sitting in his chest.
Not halfway Bakugou continued. Not unsure.
His grip tightened slightly around the bone.
She knew exactly what she was getting into and stayed.
And I chose her. I don’t do things halfway he added voice steady again. Not fights. Not wins.
That sat heavy in a good way.
Ren leaned back letting out a quiet damn under his breath.
Yeah that’s a finish right there.
Bakugou scoffed lightly reaching for his drink again.
Tch. Told you it was easy.
Ren laughed. You coughed.
Ren shook his head still smiling.
I gotta say you might be the first person who actually enjoyed this.
Bakugou smirked slightly.
Food was good.Questions weren’t terrible either.
Ren blinked then laughed.
I’m taking that as the highest compliment I’m gonna get.
There was a brief pause then Ren glanced off camera.
Alright he said like he just remembered something. Before we wrap
Bakugou narrowed his eyes slightly.
We’ve got one last surprise.
Bakugou immediately looked unimpressed.
Ren ignored him turning slightly.
Alright you can come out.
There was movement behind the cameras.
His eyes locked on you instantly.
Ren was already laughing.
Yeah so she’s been here the whole time.
Bakugou sat up a little straighter staring.
You knew about this he asked eyes narrowing slightly at you now.
You shrugged trying not to laugh.
He clicked his tongue dragging a hand through his hair.
Ren cut in immediately grinning.
You stepped a little closer smiling.
For once Bakugou didn’t have a quick comeback.
His ears were definitely red now.
He looked away for a second then back at you.
You laughed softly. I’m not.
You moved closer to the table glancing at the wings.
You actually ate all of those
Bakugou scoffed like that was the focus now.
Ren choked out a laugh. He coughed.
Bakugou shot him another look then glanced back at you.
They weren’t that bad. Anyways you look really nice today. He pressed a soft kiss on the top of her head
Ren looked between the two of you grinning.
Alright yeah we’re ending it there before I get kicked out of this relationship.
Ren turned back to camera.
Alright ten wings down one unexpected reveal and probably the most honest answers we’ve gotten on this table.
