
Stella
An Anita researcher studying Chaos Crystals. Stella had her independent lab at a young age. She is always full of energy, and is a young girl with aspirations. Occasionally boarding the Eternal while entering and exiting the Chaos Space and exploring new areas, she exudes an aura of perfection like a pampered girl refined down to every strand of hair. However, just like how beautifully maintained long hair requires a lot of care, Stella's life hasn't been smooth-sailing — though this might need time with her to comprehend fully.
Generally speaking, people's impression of researchers is "someone who studies things in a white coat." They may appear in places other than laboratories from time to time, but they will definitely not be active in the outside world, never mind walking into danger all by themselves. However, Stella's existence has totally broken this stereotype.
She frequently enters the Chaos Space to explore, investigate, and also conduct preliminary minings of veins. Regarding why she insists on doing everything herself to this degree, her explanation is that for one, she wants to obtain research materials and data from the Chaos Space, and for another, it allows her to apply for a huge sum of funding for the research institute.
Her reason for not obtaining research investment through her family is supposedly that "she had made a deal with her father to make a name for herself." Still, if the situation calls for it, Stella will not hesitate to use her family background as a viable resource for her own benefit.
To Stella, her gorgeous long hair is as important as her life, so much so that haircare is an essential part of her daily routine, and there isn't a single popular haircare product on the market she doesn't know. On occasion, she will bring a large bag of heavy bottles and jars onto the train and very naturally tell others they are all for maintaining her lustrous hair.
During her haircare process, she will turn the music on to kill time, and if her spirits are high, she even sings a line or two of the songs she likes. As quoted by some passengers who have heard her periodically, she has a pretty remarkable voice that's basically akin to a professional singer's standard.
Every time Stella is done taking care of her hair is when she's most relaxed and happy. Here's a little fun fact about her: She loves the sensation of her hair swing airily as she turns her head, though that is not something many people understand unless they have such long hair too...
"Your hair is so long! Doesn't it put a strain on your neck?"
"Nope. Now that you mention it, I have indeed been feeling a bit tired lately, but I think that's because the new acceleration component installed on the multifunctional crusher is too heavy... Um, it's probably best to switch it back to the old lighter version next time... or should I just remove it for good?"
"It's... Idol time! Sit back and enjoy the brilliant performance brought to you by STELLA!"
The other side to Stella the Researcher is her identity as an idol who shines on stage and makes people happy. Although it's more like her own hobby, she does it to the best of her ability, as that is Stella's motto. Every single performance of hers is done with utmost effort to exude her charisma to the world.
She has never readily told the people around her about her idol side of life, but if anyone discovers that she's the star of an advertising billboard, she won't try to deny it either. Plenty of her fans have said things like "Stella is especially breathtaking." That may have something to do with her genuine confidence, a radiance from within that made her into a rising star on stage.
Stella is always able to hold her head up and proudly display any side of her to others. Be it as an idol or a researcher, she is sufficiently assured by her talent and hard work and believes she will excel in both areas.
Faced with her father's high expectations from a young age, Stella was surrounded by multiple stern personal teachers since she could read and would be lectured and punished for any little mistake she made. Like hopscotch, she became accustomed to advancing the squares of her strict daily schedule as a child, learning the skills that a competent successor should know, such as basic etiquette and art appreciation. Thankfully, Stella absolutely loved learning new knowledge, so books and information weren't taxing and were instead an enjoyment to her. She was like a seed that had been meticulously selected and planted in the soil that suited her most.
Stella's father was well pleased with her performance and improvement and planned to make her his successor. However, as she climbed up the steps piled with trophies, certificates, and excellent results, she beat her father to his plan and entered Anita Energy Company as a researcher, rendering him shocked and astounded. A deal was made between the father-daughter duo that she would eventually return to fulfill his wishes, but before that...
Only Stella herself knows what kind of career she really wants to achieve. For this dream, she is still working hard to this day, but a flower as beautiful as hope is bound to blossom most stunningly someday.
You're the conductor? You don't look very reliable... Oh well. My name is Stella. Pleased to meet you.
Is it time to change shifts already? Just wait a moment. I'll finish cleaning the utensils first.
Let's make things clear. I'm a researcher, not a combatant. Please remember that.
I joined Anita Energy Institute for money, of course! Have you heard the saying, "Budget is the researcher's greatest enemy?"
If you find Chaos Stones with high purity, could you give them to me? I want to use them for research. Of course, I'm not asking for them for free.
Although researchers are said to have agile minds, we're no different from ordinary people outside our fields of expertise. Like you, Conductor, if someone assumed you could operate a ship just because you drive a train, you'd be perplexed, right?
Hehe, are you fascinated by my hair? I invest a lot of time to maintain it, after all, so it's natural that it's beautiful and captivating.
Many people say I'm where I am today solely because of my parents' influence. I don't deny it. After all, as a child, it's normal to be influenced by one's parents forever.
I believe everyone starts out as an unpolished diamond, and we need constant polishing to shine. So, I'll do whatever it takes to refine myself.
Cough, cough... So much dust... Ah, my hair... I guess I'll have to give it a good wash when I bathe tonight...
You can touch my hair a little, just a little. I'm giving special permission only to you! Not everyone gets to touch it, you know!
This? It's my month's worth of shampoo and conditioner. I have a lot of hair, so I need a large quantity.
Hey, could you help dry my hair? Ah... it's so much easier with you here.
Objectively speaking, I'm quite the belle, the cream of the crop. I advise you to act fast before someone else wins me over, okay?
I won't let go of anyone who gets in the way of my research!
You still have time to run before bad things happen!
Ugh, so annoying. Don't you know I'm a busy lady?
Keep your eyes peeled! I'll show you what it means to be a real genuis!
Hyaaaaah! Take this!
Aaaaah! M-My precious hair!!! H-How dare you?!
Hmph! My research is waiting for me. You bunch of morons don't deserve my time!
I'd much rather receive an award for my research project, but... s-since you insist, I'll take it, then.