Chiyoko Hoto, widely known as Cocoa's mother, is married to a university professor and has four children: daughters Cocoa and Mocha Hoto, along with two sons aspiring to become a scientist and a lawyer. She operates a family bakery nestled in a mountainous area near a coastal town. Her physical appearance mirrors Cocoa's, featuring vibrant orange hair and matching eyes, typically styled with most hair pinned up during work and long split bangs framing her face.

She shares a longstanding connection with Saki Kafū, Chino Kafū's mother, having attended high school together. In the OVA "Dear My Sister," Chiyoko manages the bakery alongside Mocha and Cocoa during Cocoa's visit. Her daily oversight of bakery operations includes temporarily leaving for medical treatment of a wrist injury during the breakfast rush, entrusting her daughters with the workload.

Chiyoko displays a warm yet practical parenting approach. She engineers reconciliation between Cocoa and Mocha after a minor disagreement by creating a situation demanding their cooperation. During an evening talk, she attentively listens to Cocoa's uncertainties about future careers, fostering a supportive space for reflection. This interaction subtly influences Cocoa's later declaration about pursuing a happiness-focused career path. The family bonds over reviewing photographs sent by Cocoa.

The bakery's remote mountain location, inspired by the French village of Èze, contributes to delayed communication with Cocoa's friends in the coastal town. Beyond her familial role and bakery management, no expanded backstory or character development appears in other seasons, films, or spin-offs.