Chihaya Ayase is the central protagonist of her story, a high school student whose life is transformed by the discovery of competitive karuta. In her childhood, Chihaya was a restless and energetic girl who lived in the shadow of her older sister, Chitose, a successful model. Her only ambition was to support her sister's career, as her family doted on Chitose's accomplishments, leaving Chihaya feeling overlooked and without a dream of her own. This changed upon meeting a transfer student named Arata Wataya, who introduced her to the world of karuta, a card game based on the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu anthology of poems. Arata recognized a natural, almost supernatural talent in Chihaya, specifically her exceptional hearing and quick reflexes, and he inspired her to pursue her own goal of becoming the Queen of karuta, the title for the best female player in Japan. This event gave her a personal dream for the first time in her life.

Physically, Chihaya is tall and slim, with long brown hair and brown eyes, and is widely considered to be very beautiful. However, her appearance is often at odds with her personality, leading her classmates to give her the nickname "beauty in vain". Once she speaks or acts, her true nature is revealed. Chihaya is a tomboyish, determined, and outgoing individual who is famously single-minded in her devotion to karuta, to the point where her friends call her a "karuta baka," or karuta maniac. She is hot-blooded, easily excitable, and prone to saying the first thing that comes to her mind, often without regard for social graces. While she is kind and gives her trust easily, she can also be short-tempered and fiercely competitive. Chihaya can be absent-minded in daily life, but she possesses an incredible ability to focus intensely when playing karuta, a state where her true brilliance shines. She also has childish quirks, such as a deep affection for a mascot character named Daddy Bear, whose image appears on many of her personal belongings.

Chihaya's primary motivation is her all-consuming passion for karuta, which is inextricably linked to her childhood friends. She believes that by persevering in the sport and achieving the title of Queen, she will be able to meet Arata again, who moved back to his hometown of Fukui after elementary school. This goal drives her to establish a karuta club at Mizusawa High School, where she reunites with her other childhood friend, Taichi Mashima. She serves as the heart and captain of the club, binding its diverse members together with her profound enthusiasm and ability to inspire true friendships. Her role in the story is to lead this new club from its formation to the national championships, all while pursuing her individual dream.

Key relationships are central to Chihaya's character. Her bond with Arata Wataya is foundational; he is the one who gave her a dream and represents her ideal of a karuta player, someone she both cherishes and feels distant from due to his superior skill. Her relationship with Taichi Mashima is one of deep friendship and staunch support. As the club's president and her most tolerant and understanding ally, Taichi is her closest companion, though Chihaya remains completely oblivious to his romantic feelings for her for a long time. Within the club, she is guided by Kanade Oe, who teaches her the cultural and emotional meanings behind the hundred poems, adding a new layer of depth to her game. At home, her relationship with her family, especially her sister Chitose, remains a point of quiet tension, as her parents' focus on Chitose's modeling career often overshadows Chihaya's own karuta achievements.

Throughout the story, Chihaya undergoes significant development. She evolves from a girl who simply emulated her sister to a dedicated athlete who works tirelessly to improve, eventually reaching Class A, the highest rank in competitive karuta. Her journey involves not only sharpening her physical skills but also maturing emotionally. While initially unable to see beyond her own passion, she learns to be more considerate of the feelings of those around her, particularly Taichi. This development culminates in her finally winning the title of Queen, achieving the dream that Arata first inspired in her as a child, and at the very end of her story, she comes to understand her own heart enough to confess her feelings to Taichi and begin a romantic relationship with him.

Chihaya's notable abilities in karuta are nothing short of extraordinary. Her defining talent is her remarkable hearing, which is so sensitive that she can identify cards from a single syllable, effectively giving her a larger number of "one-syllable cards" than any normal player. She is also a natural athlete with quick reflexes, good stamina from her time on the track team, and an intense, instinctive style of play that is as straightforward and determined as she is. Her focus during matches is absolute, and she plays with a visceral passion that often leaves her physically drained, to the point of collapsing into a deep sleep immediately after a game ends.