Ayumi is a minor character in the modern-day segments of the narrative, known primarily as one of Kagome Higurashi's three closest friends from school. She is a young woman of slender build with pale skin, wavy shoulder-length black hair often secured with a pink rectangular hairpin, and dark brown eyes. Her usual attire consists of the standard sailor-style school uniform. Initially fifteen years old, she is later shown to be around eighteen by the time of the series' conclusion, continuing her studies alongside Kagome through high school and eventually moving on to college.

Ayumi's personality is defined by a gentle, naive, and optimistic nature, distinguishing her as the most soft-spoken and supportive member of her friend group. While her friends Eri and Yuka are often more skeptical and quick to criticize, Ayumi consistently demonstrates a patient and understanding demeanor. This is most evident in her stance regarding Kagome's complicated romantic relationship with Inuyasha. Unlike the others who frequently encourage the advances of their classmate Hojo and view Inuyasha as a troublesome delinquent, Ayumi is almost always shown to be supportive of Kagome and Inuyasha's bond. Her inherent optimism leads her to believe that genuine love can overcome any obstacle, and she senses the depth of Kagome's true feelings.

Despite her usual support, there are moments when Ayumi shares her friends' concerns, momentarily doubting Inuyasha's character based on Kagome's complaints about his short temper and the lingering presence of his former love, Kikyo. However, her perception changes entirely upon meeting Inuyasha in person. When he unexpectedly appears at Kagome's window, Ayumi and her friends are surprised but quickly form a positive impression of him, finding him cool and ultimately reaffirming her full support for the relationship.

Her role in the story is to serve as a pillar of Kagome's normal life in her own time, providing a contrast to the supernatural adventures of the feudal era. These scenes at school or at their local meeting place, Wacdnalds, offer moments of levity and normalcy, focusing on everyday concerns like love lives and school events. Ayumi's primary function is to be a loyal and caring friend, offering Kagome a space to confide in and grounding her in her original identity as a modern schoolgirl. Her motivations are simple and rooted in friendship, as she genuinely cares for Kagome's happiness and wishes to see her well.

A notable aspect of Ayumi's character is her interest in music and school activities. She is shown to be the only one of her friends who genuinely enjoys school, and she takes on a leadership role as the conductor, or maestro, for her school's choir performance during the cultural festival, demonstrating a sense of responsibility and engagement in her academic life. Beyond her close friendships with Kagome, Eri, and Yuka, her relationship with Inuyasha is also significant, albeit limited. After their first meeting, she and her friends encounter him again on several occasions, such as when he helps Kagome retrieve a lost train ticket, leaving them impressed by his seemingly supernatural abilities.

Ayumi does not possess any supernatural abilities or combat skills, as her entire presence is confined to the modern era. Her value is entirely in her normalcy and the genuine, grounded friendship she offers. By the end of the narrative, after Kagome has permanently returned from the feudal era, she continues to attend high school with Ayumi and their friends until they all graduate together, signifying the peaceful conclusion of this chapter of their lives.