Dr. Marika Takahitsuji

Dr. Marika Takahitsuji (高羊 まりか) is one of the main protagonists of the light novel series Kindred Hearts and the chief researcher (CEO from Broken Wings onwards) of Lazuline, a non-governmental organization dedicated in researching Espers and their origins, as well as protecting them from anti-Esper groups and Deviants. She is also the elder sister of Alfredo Takahitsuji, and founder of the Azure Shields. After her marriage with Daniel, she changed her name to Dr. Marika Futaba (双葉 まりか), as a tribute to her late mother Mizuki.

## Appearance

Dr. Marika is a bespectacled Esper woman with a short stature and a youthful appearance, almost resembling a young teen but with a pair of semi-huge breasts and thick thighs. Dr. Marika has vermilion eyes and black hair tied into pigtails. She usually wears a blue vest with a white shirt underneath and a blue pleated skirt, the standard uniform for female researchers in Lazuline. Her elder self is a splitting image of her mother and her aunt, with long black hair and a more well-endowed appearance, though shorter than Mizuki in height.

## Personality

Dr. Marika is an intelligent yet snarky woman. She loves to look down on those who she claims as "idiots", and even tease them with her squeaky yet shrill laugh. However, she is kind yet caring towards Alfredo. She even became his mother temporarily after the death of Mizuki at the hands of Shinzo's assassin, Christie Myers. However, inside her is a traumatized self who kept blaming herself for not being able to protect her mother and father. Later on, Dr. Marika's personality softened and became more mature and kind-hearted, almost like a blend of her mother and her aunt.

## Family and relatives

* Lumino Angelus (progenitor from Takeru's side, sacrificed his life prior to the events of Kindred Hearts to seal Dark Nightmare)
* Hajime Yakumo (maternal grandfather, poisoned by Shinzo and Christie)
* Emi Futaba (maternal grandmother, poisoned by Shinzo and Christie)
* Mizuki Takahitsuji, née Futaba (mother, assassinated by Christie)
* Takeru Takahitsuji (father, assassinated by Christie)
* Yuzuki Futaba (aunt and adoptive mother)
* Alfredo Takahitsuji (younger brother)
* Daniel Mason (fiancé and husband)
* Catherine L. Futaba (distant relative and fellow clanswoman)
* Nayuta Takahitsuji (daughter)
* Chihiro Takahitsuji (son)

## Abilities

* Vermilion Volt: Like her younger brother, she possesses the elusive Sigil Vermilion Volt, except hers is weakers than Alfredo's, and can't be used too much. Also, it does not come with EX skills.
* High IQ: Dr. Marika has an exceptionally high IQ. She's able to solve complex mathematical problems and memorize anything related to her research and field work. She's also a tech savvy, and she's also able to help her colleagues with computer-related problems.
* Weaponry: Dr. Marika is armed with a pair of pistols, which was remodeled into Rachel's dual gun, Twin Cerberus. Later on, Marika wields an electric chain whip for self-defense.

## Etymology

Marika's name means "jasmine" in Japanese (the same flower worn by Cathy on her hair), while her last name are derived from the kanjis for "high/hawk/eagle" and "goat/sheep". After her marriage with Daniel, her last name means sprout/bud.

## Trivia

* Dr. Marina's appearance and personality are inspired by Futaba Sakura from Persona 5, Mafuyu Hoshikawa from Blend S, Komoe Tsukuyomi from To aru Majutsu no Index, Sun Shangxiang and Zhenji from Dynasty Warriors, Sento Kiryu from Kamen Rider Build, Kafuru from Senran Kagura, Wu Zetian from Fate/Grand Order, Hana Uzaki from Uzaki-chan Wants to Hang Out, Natsuki Minamiya from Strike the Blood and Tierra-sensei from Schoolgirl Strikers. She might be based of typical "legal lolis" in anime and mangas which are childlike characters who are actually adults or in some fantasy/isekai animes, 100-year old girls.
* Her Japanese name can be misread as Marika Kouyagi.
* Back in her younger days, Dr. Marika used to be an otaku, and she used to be a doujin writer and cosplayer under the name Marina Komori (高森 マリナ). She often appeared in Comiket, usually cosplaying her own original character from her novel.
* Dr. Marika is also a heavy snacker. She's rarely seen without a bag of cheese-flavored tortilla chips and a can of soda. Despite being an adult, Dr. Marika never smoked since she's very concerned about her health, contrary to her snacking habit.