Mei Hongo

Mei "Shinonome" Hongo, during her middle school years.

### Likes

Sheep (favorite animal), lemon (favorite color), Rihito Shibata (love interest), Kento Shibata (friend/rival), her school friends, tea and mostly sweets.

### Dislikes

Mean people (examples: Rika Kayama and Emiri Enari), evil people (Shiori Hongo).She dislikes Kento's brash attitude and butler duels.

### Is Good At

Good at making friends, even with former enemies or rivals.

### Is Bad At

Almost everything, due to her incredible clumsiness.

**Mei Hongo** (*本郷 メイ, Hongo Mei*), formerly named **Mei Shinonome** (*東雲 メイ,* *Shinonome Mei*), is the main protagonist of *Mei-chan no Shitsuji*, *Mei-chan no Shitsuji DX*, *Mei-chan no Shitsuji Mayonaka no Shitsuji-tachi* and it's television drama adaptation. She is the upcoming successor of the Hongo Family, an extremely wealthy family that controls a large portion of Japan's economy, that includes vast industries and companies. After losing her parents in a trafic accident, she learns the truth of her family and has to become the sole successor of the Hongo estate, even against her will. Upon meeting Rihito Shibata, the Hongo Estate's most excellent young butler, Mei has fallen in love with him on first sight and thus start the romance of a young lady and her talented butler. But the younger brother of Rihito, Kento Shibata, also happens to have secretly loved Mei for a long time and would do anything to win her heart, deciding to become her butler and setting off an intense rivalry between the brothers.

## Biography

### Early Life

At some points in her younger years, Mei claims to remember she was lost in a dark forest, during a night with a full moon and was being rescued by an unknown butler wearing a shimmering brooch on his suit but most of her friends dismissed the existence of such memories and lack knowledge on what is a butler. Even Mei herself struggles to remember the whole situation and how it happened, she doesn't even remember the unnamed butler's face or body but only remembers how slender his fingers were and the shimmering brooch on his chest.

### Volume 1 - Sheep 1

Born in a low class family, Mei Shinonome came from the union of a hardworking, noodle cook father named Shutaro Hongo and an unnamed mother whose job is unknown (possibly working as a housewife, somewhat a common trait to most wives in Japan in a certain period). Because of some troublesome past against his father with problems concerning inheritance, getting bored about possessing massive wealth and buying practically anything, Shutaro decided Mei never knew their family's wealthy origins and took a newer name: Shutaro **Shinonome**. He then decided to become a simple noodle chef, precisely udon noodles, working hard with a low salary and marrying a woman who will become Mei's mother. Together, they all live in a small, village within Shikoku.

#### Normal Days

Mei's normal days were going to school with her friends, arguing against Kento's insults and disliking Emiri's pretentious, mocking attitude toward Shutaro's job. She was indeed having fun during those days, alongside her classmates and everyone around her but doesn't seem to clearly remember her past memory at her fullest and just simple gleams of flashbacks only appearing in her mind. As much as she remembers, she was born in the Shikoku island in a quiet, small village and her family is pretty normal.

#### A Tragic Accident

But nothing remains forever happy: Mei's parents passed away in a tragic accident, leaving their grieving daughter all alone and hopeless to get any help from family members or anyone else. According to teacher Nakamoto, because Mei does not have a guardian, she will be forced to go in an orphanage, much to Kento's dismay. This was until Kento's grandfather, Hideto Shibata, walked into the scene and told the school teacher to put this matter aside for a moment as he walked into Mei's house. A distraught Mei recognized Hideto, being a good friend with Shutaro and Hideto would come to visit regularly, the two were good chess mates. Hideto proceed to explain to the sad orphan if she wants to live under his wing, in which Mei being hesitant at first since she viewed herself as a trouble to him.

## Personality

### Post-Time Skip

With the experiences she accumulated over the years and thanks to the lessons and training within the academy, Mei has seemingly become a proper and fine lady fit for her age.

## Appearances

### Physical Appearance

According to Kintaro, her nose is the same as Shutaro's.

## Lady Attributes

### Overview

She is good at making friends with almost everyone, including her rivals and turning them into friends or frenemies. Such trait obviously comes from her parents. But in dire moments, Mei can be very unpredictable and even if her clumsiness is a weakness, it can be turned into a strong point if used in the right moment during a situation. Surprising enough, Mei is quite a strong individual in terms of physical strength, such as landing a powerful uppercut into Prince Irfan's jaw, sending him upward from several meters high. Mei is also capable to knock out a grown adult with a chair via whacking several times their head, despite her childish body frame and feeble muscles (to accomplish said feats, she has to be *incredibly angry* in those situations). Ever since she was trained by the Saint Lucia Girl's Academy's programs, she is capable to kick down a wooden door without any strains or injuries on her leg, considering she never properly trained to perform a strong kick on a door. Mei was also trained to use a Global Positioning System (GPS) tracker on herself, concealing small equipment or objects such a knife and knows how to get herself free from being tied up.

### Abilities

* **Pure Heart**: Mei has demonstrated several times purity even during dire moments, in terms of purity she might be one of the most purest ladies in the academy, on par with the Sun-Ranked ladies at St. Lucia Academy such as Izumi Ryuonji. Her purity makes her a honest person and she's possibly one of the very few honest characters in the series.
	+ **Empathy/*Compassion***: Mei can easily understand, feel and wants to relieve the pain of an individual, be a friend or even a foe. This also comes handy when Mei manages to befriend former foes, turning them into powerful allies or even close friends.
		- **Friendship**: She is known for being friendly to everyone and often befriend anyone she meets, including enemies who wants her even dead.
	+ **Innocence**: Mei is extremely innocent at heart and condones any forms of unnecessary violence (even though she tends to contradict herself at times by doing said actions). She cannot stand by watching someone getting hurt and do nothing about it (e.g. Mei dislikes butler duels yet she is willingly beating a man with a chair).

* **Unpredictability**: Because she never thinks without the action, Mei's nature is incredibly unpredictable and not even the Shibata Brothers can foresaw her actions. Despite being extremely clumsy, this weakness becomes and transforms into a strong point that can help her into the most dire situations, completely turning the tables against her enemies at the last second.
* **Martial Arts** **(Self-Taught, Beginner)**: Surprisingly, Mei has knowledge on martial arts and knows how to defend herself or attacking an opponent. In a bonus page with information about her, martial arts are her "special skill". Though there is little evidence that she practices any martial arts, she is undoubtedly very good at fighting in critical moments and can even defeat an adult despite her size.
* **Peak Physical Condition**: For a girl of her age and size appearance, Mei's physical condition would be at her peak; the academy even train the ladies for dire situations when they're not with their butlers and how to escape such situations. Despite not the best student during those physical training grounds, she still exceed most ladies in terms of strength alone.
	+ **Strong Physique**: Despite her small appearance, Mei is quite physically strong and she never trained physically (except in the academy's sport classes). A known feat of her strength is when she broke down a door with a single kick. She was able to send Irfan high enough with a single uppercut and even knock out a highly trained bodyguard with a chair.

### Weaknesses

* **Highly Incompetent**: Mei herself is not much good overall and is incredibly clumsy at almost everything she does, either by doing chores for her parents or even just cleaning her entire room, it just always turns into jeopardy: as stated by Kento, it is her incompetence that makes her clumsy at everything. Mei also does not think before acting, which causes her decisions to be her downfall at most times and put herself into dangerous positions.
	+ **Incredible Clumsiness**: Because Mei's incompetence is so great, clumsiness also comes in and on a very high level; to the point she can put important tasks or events into jeopardy or even putting anyone surrounding her such as her friends in grave danger. An example is when Mei wanted to help her mother cleaning clothes, she ends up doing the exact opposite while thinking she's doing the right way (much to her mother's outrage). In other words: Mei will never be able to do something without messing it.
* **Weak Minded**: Mei's mind is very fragile, she is not ready for sudden changes such as Rihito becoming "brainwashed" and serves Shiori was enough to nearly drive her to suicide. The time when she lost her parents and learned the truth of her family was also a tough hit to get over it, although she managed to pass through both obstacles. As a matter of fact, Mei technically suffered from depression throughout her first year at the school, especially due to Shiori Hongo.
	+ **Immaturity**: For the most part in the story, Mei was not accustomed to her new life and lacked the knowledge to become a proper lady, while most ladies were also very mature at the academy. This is also due to her being not very bright and dumbfounded deep down in her mind. Even at the age of 17 years old, she is still immature but lesser compared to her younger self thanks to her previous experiences.
	+ **Naivety**: Her naivety is also an important weakness that lead her to be easily tricked by her foes, Mei is very susceptible to be convinced by manipulations.

## Relationships

### Family & Relatives

* **Shutaro "Shinonome" Hongo**: Mei loved her father and would learn much from him as he would explain things about life to his daughter. Mei sometimes calls him as an "idiot noodle cook" because of his job being poor and unable to make more money.
* **Mei's Mother**: Mei loved her mother as equally with her father, she basically has the same traits as her mother as well. Nothing much is known concerning Mei's mother aside she tried to teach Mei how to fold clothes, which her daughter simply put every clothes in chaos. The possibility of the "Shinonome" family name might come from her.
* **Kintaro Hongo**: Her grandfather and the patriarch of the entire Hongo Family, as well the founder of the Hongo Estate. Widely considered as the world's richest man, his connections with other rich people are endless and he holds tremendous power in the highest social ranks, even going above that of a president or a king. According to The Mayor, Kintaro can easily obliterate the entire Enari Family with a single thought. His age is unknown but he is fairly old and unable to walk anymore, he uses a wheelchair for mobility (with a butler, such as Taizo as example), yet old enough to have meet various people that includes Izumi Ryuonji and Rika Kayama in their childhood, the previous king of Bernstein and many more.
* **Shiori Hongo/Lucia**: The foster-daughter of Shutaro, whose parents abandoned when she was a child. Shiori loathes and is envious of Mei for two reason: she wants Rihito back and take revenge against Kintaro for the mistreatment he performed all those years in her life, replacing the old man and becoming the sole successor of the Hongo family.
* **Possible Relatives**: There is a possibility Mei could have some cousins, it was hinted by Rihito claiming Shutaro Hongo was "*the eldest of the Hongo Family*", implying Kintaro might have more children. Though it was never fully explained and not mentioned ever in the series again .

### Friends & Allies

* **Kento Shibata**: Initally, their relationship was rough and both would engage into arguments, calling them each others names and insults. Kento would regard her as a nuisance sometimes but since they first met, he would secretly fall in love for her and he would hide it from her for years. He would fight anyone and anything to become her butler, which rivals his older brother, Rihito, as well.
* **Rihito Shibata**: The Hongo Estate's most talented butler so far, he would serve his lady and protect from anyone and anything, no matter the odds. Rihito would later on start to have feelings for Mei, growing more and more attach to her over time.
* **Hideto Shibata**:
* **Younger Nakamoto**: A childhood friend of Mei, she appeared in the earliest chapters of the manga until Mei departed to her new life. She is noticeable with her glasses, giving her a "nerdy look". Her full name is unknown, although she is referred as "Younger Nakamoto" due to being little sibling of the older Nakamoto, the school's teacher.
* **Tami Yamata**: The most strange of all the ladies in the academy, also probably the most dirtiest due to lacking lady-like mannerisms and having her clothes all ripped and terrible (some can consider Tami as the polar opposite of Izumi's personality, mostly in terms of appearance and proper manners). Even more strange, Tami is notorious to fight her butler, Kanzaki, on a daily basis and basically at any time possible such as breakfast, during classes or together with her friends. Tami, along with Kanzaki, are specialized into stealthy infiltrations, weaponry arsenals and physical hand-to-hand fighting.
	+ **Kanzaki**: The most mysterious butler, he always fight the lady he serves, Tami, while remaining a stoic facial expression and throwing knives back at Tami. Rihito doesn't appreciate much of Kanzaki's contribution of helping other butlers since he's too busy fighting Tami. Kanzaki and Tami would later on train a young Kento in order to become stronger, which Kento would called the training sessions "*Kanzaki's boot camp*". Kanzaki also seems to possess a vast arsenal of military weaponry, such as grenades and a rocket launcher.
* **Fujiko Natsume**:
	+ **Nezu/Jack**:
* **Izumi Ryuonji**: Mei considers Izumi as one of her closest friends, someone who she looks up to as an "ideal model" because of her beauty and highly skilled lady. Izumi is the leader of the Saint Lucia Girl's Academy Student Council and one of the most highly respected ladies in the school, even the nuns listens to her ideas and orders. Izumi views Mei in a positive light and always will support the young Hongo (despite the latter's nigh-unpredictable attitude and chaotic clumsiness). When Mei learned her grandfather's limited lifetime coming to an end, Izumi was the only one to comfort Mei by giving a warm hug.

### Rivals & Enemies

* **Emiri Enari** (Formerly): Her first rival in the manga's early chapters. In the beginning, Emiri would tease, annoy and taunt Shutaro's noodle cook job in Mei's face several times. Emiri was jealous and disliked Mei due to how Kento had more conversation with her rival, as she would not get his attention and spend time with him.
* **Ms. Enari**: After understanding the truth behind Emiri's arrogant nature, Mei tried to confront Ms. Enari and tried to convince the mother to give Emiri a birthday (for the first time in her life). This obviously backfired as Ms. Enari didn't listen to such request and tried to grab Emiri, thankfully Rihito was in the scene for the rescue while Mei ran away with Emiri.
* **Rika Kayama** (Formerly): Mei's first true adversary when she entered in her first days at the Saint Lucia's Academy. Despite insulting and taunting Mei, even trying to obtain Rihito through a duel, Mei forgave her and became a close friend with (though Rika would still try to show her pretentious attitude toward Mei at times, they are much like frenemies to this day). Mei does have a strong sense of friendship to Rika, as proven when the "Oil Prince" insulted Rika in front of everyone and Mei would return Rika's favor by giving a strong uppercut to Irfan's jaw, sending the ingrate prince flying up in the air.
	+ **Aoyama** (Formerly): Although he was very insulting towards her and Rihito, Mei took pity toward Aoyama when he got temporary fired by Rika. She knew Rika would be unable to dress herself properly without the help of Aoyama and also saw both of them were made for each others. On the other side, Aoyama views Mei as an immense annoyance and an insult to every ladies. But he mostly despises Rihito because of the S-Rank butler's superior skills and greater intellect.
* **Izumi Ryuonji** (Brainwashed, Formerly): When Izumi's stepmother disinherited her and wanted her butler Kiba, Izumi spiraled into deep despair and sorrow, unable to save her butler and regain the position of the next head of her family. It was when Shinobu decided the right moment to strike the young lady, he managed to brainwash Izumi with an unknown technique (possibly some unheard medication such as a special drug). Izumi, now brainwashed, heavily changed her personality and behavior against her friends and basically became an enemy to everyone. She even went to do a challenge against Mei, with the prize being Rihito again (Izumi was promised to receive Kiba again if she wins against Mei).
* **Miwako Ryuonji**: After witnessing Miwako's harsh plans to keep Izumi's butler, Kiba, and force her illegitimate daughter to marry someone by force, Mei leaped into helping Izumi with the best she could, to the point biting Miwako's arm (alongside Tami's help),
* **Shiori Hongo** (Formerly): Also known as "Lucia", she is a distant relative of Mei. Shiori/Lucia is incredibly envious toward Mei, since Shiori was a forgotten child who was despised by the Hongo family and no one cared about her because she was an illegitimate child.
* **Shinobu** (Formerly):
* **Bill**: Mei doesn't like Bill's plans and intentions towards Fujiko.
* **Prince Irfan** (Formerly):
* **Zaki & Jin**:

### Others & Neutrals

* **Sister Rose** (Harsh): Sister Rose seemed to be benevolent toward Mei at their first encounter, though Rose would grow more and more harsh, to the point of telling Mei if she doesn't want to be a rich girl then she better give up and die. Even Sakuraba, Rose's butler, demonstrate worries concerning the subject of telling a young girl to die. Mei still respects Sister Rose, even though she's rough at times.
	+ **Sakuraba**: A mysterious butler, Mei never truly had any sentiments towards him and perhaps sees him as an acquaintance/ally.
* **Teacher Nakamoto**: Their relationship is just like a student and a teacher should: Mei simply respects Nakamoto. Their relationship does not dwell deeper than that.
* **The Headmistress**: The director of the small school Mei attends at, alongside her friends. Little relationship is known between the two.

## Gallery

An entire page about Mei's personal information (prior to the time-skip).
## Trivia

* A theory claims Mei's former surname, Shinonome, possibly comes from her mother. This would also explain how Shutaro used the Shinonome surname to hide away his Hongo identity for several years and live at peace with his family.
* Despite Mei struggling to remember much about the dream she had when lost in the woods and saved by an unknown butler, she did in fact lived in the Hongo Mansion in her earliest years, but perhaps too young to remember. This is also further proved when she arrived in the Hongo Domain after many years later, when all the maids and butlers awaiting for her arrival would welcome her back, hinting the fact she did lived prior to the series' debut.
* Surprisingly, Mei is quite heavier for a young lady, despite her very thin frame. Even Clarisse was struggling to lift a drunken Mei.