Megumi Tadokoro hails from a small Tohoku port town, where she assisted her mother at their family ryokan, Shōkeien. Idolizing her mother, she embraced a cooking philosophy centered on heartfelt hospitality: infusing dishes with emotional impact by focusing on someone important while cooking. When the ryokan declined due to aging staff unable to prepare its signature goosefish dish, Megumi mastered the demanding traditional suspended cutting technique from local fishermen, revitalizing Shōkeien and earning community respect. Recognizing her talent, her mother encouraged her enrollment at Tōtsuki Culinary Academy. Initially at Tōtsuki, extreme demophobia and crippling stage fright caused severe academic underperformance. She ranked last in her class and took three months to pass the Polar Star Dormitory entrance exam, temporarily residing in its barn. Anxiety triggered frequent panic, overcautiousness, and a self-soothing habit of tracing the kanji for "person" on her hand. Unsatisfactory grades led to an expulsion warning, intensifying her fears. Her trajectory shifted upon partnering with Sōma Yukihira for their first assignment. After sabotage threatened their dish, Sōma's quick thinking saved them, securing their first "A" and forging a close partnership. This began her reliance on his creativity during high-pressure tasks, though she gradually cultivated independence. A pivotal moment occurred at the Friendship and Rapport Training Camp when alumnus Kojirō Shinomiya fired her for altering his recipe. Sōma defended her in a Shokugeki, but when he faced expulsion, she tearfully intervened. Though she lost the duel, her hospitality-infused dish moved Shinomiya to tears, allowing her to stay. This experience, combined with Sōma's hand-clapping technique to calm her anxiety, marked her first major confidence boost. Growth continued during the Autumn Election Preliminaries; overcoming stage fright by envisioning Sōma's support, she expertly prepared a hanging goosefish to qualify for the main tournament despite widespread skepticism. Reaching the quarterfinals, she lost to Ryō Kurokiba but earned his respect by defending her supporters and serving a Kozuyu Chicken Soy Sauce Ramen showcasing her hospitality-focused style. Later developments included adopting a "Sports Shōjo Manga Mode" persona through Shinomiya's mentorship and joining the rebel team during the Régiment de Cuisine. Four months post-event, she wore her long dark blue hair in a single braided ponytail and secured the Elite Ten Council's 10th seat. This role expanded her confidence: she traveled globally to refine skills, observed diners' subtle cues to enhance hospitality, and accepted cooking challenges without fear of consequences, mirroring Sōma's nonchalance. Her cooking retained its core mindfulness of others but gained renewed assertiveness. Petite with yellow eyes and measurements of bust 79 cm, waist 55 cm, hip 81 cm, Megumi initially wore her hair in twin braided pigtails with a flower hairpin. Her casual wear is simple, though she typically dons Tōtsuki's uniform or a chef's jacket. Beyond cooking, she is a skilled ping pong player, entering a focused "Hopping Hare" state during matches. Relationships highlight her nurturing nature: she maintains her ryokan's values, supports peers like Erina Nakiri during Stagiaire, and cherishes bonds with Polar Star residents, particularly best friend Yūki Yoshino.