Maho Hiyajo

Maho Hiyajo is a member of the Brain Science Institute at Viktor Chondria University, one of the lead minds behind project Amadeus alongside Alexis Leskinen and Kurisu Makise's senior and friend. Due to her extremely short stature, she is often mistaken for a child despite being in her twenties. Despite this, Okabe notes that she still possesses the curves developed through puberty. She has long, messy, black hair with a dark green tint and green eyes. She typically wears baggy clothing along with mismatched shoes. Maho is an analytical, wary, sharp-minded and, sometimes, feisty young woman. Even though she is aware that she looks like a child, she still becomes annoyed every time other people, who are unaware of her true age and occupation, mistake her for one. Maho is also a very messy person. Within a day, any room she is staying in ends up as a disaster area. Despite being a genius and Dr. Leskinen's right hand, Maho started developing self-confidence issues after Kurisu Makise appeared at the university, often considering herself the "Salieri" to Kurisu's "Amadeus". However, despite this, she highly values Kurisu as both a researcher and a friend and was devastated when she died. After Kurisu's death in Japan, Maho started to talk to Amadeus Kurisu more often, forming a solid and hurting relationship until she met Okabe and had to stop interacting with her. After meeting Rintaro Okabe, the two quickly bond over Kurisu's death, with both Dr. Leskinen and Amadeus teasing her by implying that she has developed feelings for Okabe. Over the course of the story, she does end up gaining genuine romantic feeling for Okabe, but comes to terms with the fact that he is in love with Kurisu. She eventually gets over her self-doubt issues with encouragement from Okabe. Throughout the Twin Automata route, Maho develops a deep friendship with Moeka, with both of them having similar (bad) cleaning habits and insecurities. Maho believes that even if there is someone better than you, then that is not a reason give up your place.