Hisako Arato, a Tōtsuki Culinary Academy student, acts as both personal secretary and devoted companion to Erina Nakiri. Born into the Arato family—masters of Chinese medicinal cuisine (Zhōng Yī)—she was steeped from childhood in the art of integrating traditional healing principles into cooking. This heritage fuels her culinary philosophy, blending bold flavors with health-focused recipes featuring ingredients like Dong Quai root and turtle meat. Her lifelong devotion to Erina, whom she reveres as an "Empress," initially anchors her identity, intertwining her self-worth with unwavering service. Sporting a short pink bob, sharp orange eyes, and a 1.61-meter frame, Hisako dons Tōtsuki’s standard uniform and a chef’s coat during culinary tasks, occasionally switching to glasses for administrative duties. Subtle shifts in her appearance mirror internal growth, such as sweeping her bangs leftward after a defining loss, symbolizing emotional evolution. Efficient, fiercely loyal, and initially prideful, she safeguards Erina’s priorities with military precision, notably thwarting rivals like Nao Sadatsuka in a Shokugeki to protect her position. A crushing defeat by Akira Hayama in the Autumn Election quarterfinals fractures her confidence, triggering a withdrawal as she grapples with her perceived inadequacy. A pivotal shift sparks when Sōma Yukihira’s mentorship reframes her purpose: she transitions from Erina’s shadow to a determined equal, embracing collaborations and joining rebels against Azami Nakiri’s oppressive regime. Key trials—navigating the Tōtsuki Training Camp’s grueling breakfast challenge, showcasing medicinal ingenuity in the Autumn Election preliminaries—underscore her resilience. Her arc peaks during the Regimént de Cuisine conflict, where she aids the rebellion with renewed conviction. Her bond with Erina transforms from hierarchical devotion to a partnership of mutual respect, epitomized by Erina’s refusal to relinquish their friendship despite Hisako’s perceived stumbles—a testament to her journey toward self-assured loyalty.