Hakumei is one of the two protagonists of this story, and she is a young, energetic woman who stands only a few inches tall. She has curly brownish-red hair and amber eyes, and her outward appearance is often described as tomboyish. Her personality is the more extroverted and impulsive half of the central pair; she is loud, bold, and direct in her actions, though never in a way that is obnoxious or overbearing. Despite her rambunctious nature, she is fundamentally easy-going, honest, and deeply endearing to those around her. Her active and fearless demeanor sometimes leads other fairies to mistakenly assume she is male, but she identifies as female.

Hakumei's background is defined by a rootless past. As a baby, she was found carefully wrapped in a cloth and placed in a basket on a path by her unknown biological parents. She was discovered and raised by two travelers who cared for her until she became a child. After that, she spent a long time wandering alone. During these travels, she faced hardships, such as having all her luggage stolen, but she also found community, joining a caravan led by a wolf grandmother for a period. Her solitary wandering eventually led her to the doorstep of Mikochi's home, where she was taken in and began a new chapter of her life.

Her primary motivation is rooted in that desire for stability and community. While she enjoys her freedom, she has definitively settled down after meeting Mikochi. She takes great pride and seriousness in her work, striving to become a respected member of her new town. Her role in the story is as a co-lead, with her daily life and interactions with the world forming the core of the narrative. She often acts as the initiator of physical activities and adventures, contrasting with her more reserved housemate.

The most significant relationship in Hakumei's life is with Mikochi. They live together in a tree, and their complementary personalities form the heart of the story. Hakumei is the skilled protector and handywoman, while Mikochi is the nurturing cook and seamstress. Hakumei relies on Mikochi for meals and domestic stability, and the two share a deep bond of mutual support and friendship. Professionally, she works as a repairperson, and her key relationship in the village is with her senior colleague, a weasel named Iwashi. She also befriends other townsfolk, including the scientist Sen and the bard Konju. She eventually earns the respect of the local builders' association, which formally scouts her to learn their trade, cementing her place in the community.

Throughout the story, Hakumei experiences quiet but meaningful development. She transitions from a homeless wanderer with no fixed place in the world to a recognized and valued artisan who is a member of a guild and a beloved part of the village of Makinata. Her journey is one of finding a home and a purpose.

Regarding her abilities, Hakumei is exceptionally skilled in manual labor and construction. She works as a repairperson and carpenter, specializing in sharpening tools and repairing everything from stone walls and windmills to coffee grinders. Her craftsmanship is of a high enough quality that it gets noticed by professional guilds. She is also an avid fisher and comfortable with camping life, a skill born from her years of homelessness. Despite her practical genius, she has notable weaknesses: she is afraid of water and cannot swim, and her singing voice is famously terrible.