Chitose Oribe is a resident of the rural town of Manoyama, where she serves as the president of the local store association and runs a traditional Japanese candy shop. She is also the grandmother of Ririko Oribe, a younger resident of the town. Chitose's personality is defined by her strong-willed and pragmatic nature, particularly concerning the affairs of her community. She maintains a notably adversarial relationship with the tourism bureau, frequently clashing with its representative, Ushimatsu Kadota. Their disagreements stem from differing opinions on how to manage the town's initiatives and revitalization efforts, with Chitose often contradicting Ushimatsu at every opportunity. This tendency to oppose the tourism bureau highlights her deep-seated investment in the town's future and a likely wariness of outside or top-down approaches, informed by her years of direct experience as a local business owner.

Despite her combative stance with rivals, Chitose's role in the story is that of a powerful community leader whose support is crucial for any major project in Manoyama. Her background adds a surprising layer to her character, as it is revealed that in her youth, she played in a rock band alongside Ushimatsu Kadota and a man known as Doku. This revelation suggests that her current rivalry is built on a long, complex history and a level of intimacy that only old bandmates share, implying a relationship that has evolved from youthful collaboration to cantankerous but familiar opposition. Her appearance typically reflects her traditional business, as she is often seen wearing a burgundy kimono, and she has short, slightly faded purple hair. Her abilities include running a commercial establishment and leading the store association, demonstrating her organizational and leadership skills. Ultimately, Chitose functions as a representation of the established local generation, whose deep roots and stubbornness are both a challenge to overcome and a vital asset for the community she is dedicated to protecting.