Hotaru Ichijō is a fifth-grade student who transfers to Asahigaoka Branch School from Tokyo due to her father's work relocation, arriving by airplane. Relatives live nearby, and she had visited the area previously. Standing 161 cm tall, she is the tallest at her school with a developed physique often mistaken for an older teen or adult. She has neat collarbone-length black hair swept to the right with bangs, brown eyes, fair skin, and frequently wears loose-fitting shirts. Publicly, Hotaru displays a mature, responsible, and calm demeanor, serving as a dependable figure. Privately, around her parents or when unobserved, she reveals a childish, capricious side with intense emotional reactions, such as exaggerated despair when lost walking her dog Pechi or when a flashlight fails during a night hike. Konomi Fujimiya witnesses this unrestrained behavior. She harbors a deep admiration and borderline obsessive crush on Komari Koshigaya, a second-year middle schooler, frequently calling her "Komari-senpai" or "Koma-chan Senpai." This manifests in desires to pet Komari's head, crafting numerous handmade "Koma-plushies," and modifying one into a robotic "Koma-doll." She prioritizes Komari's comfort, defending her from Natsumi's teasing and willingly eating Komari's poorly cooked meals. Academically strong in non-physical subjects, Hotaru possesses surprising physical strength, easily defeating Natsumi in arm-wrestling and carrying Komari while running. Her skills include proficient sewing (primarily for Koma-plushies), cooking, and an affinity for robotics and mahou-shoujo anime like "Twinkle Sisters." She remains unfazed by insects or reptiles that unsettle her peers. Her development shows gradual adaptation to rural life. In "Repeat," her initial trepidation about the countryside is more pronounced, highlighting her adjustment. She forges closer bonds with Natsumi and deepens her mentorship role with Renge Miyauchi, who nicknames her "Hotarun." The film "Vacation" depicts her navigating experiences like the Okinawa trip, broadening her perspectives while reinforcing her loyalty to Komari. In "Nonstop," she exhibits subtle maturation, supporting Komari's emotional growth while maintaining affectionate devotion. She shows increased comfort with Asahigaoka's rhythms but remains prone to vulnerability, like crying when Komari goes missing. Her relationships include respectful interactions with teacher Kazuho Miyauchi, camaraderie with Kaede Kagayama ("Candy Store"), and complex dynamics with Konomi Fujimiya.