Nichol Hawking is the chief pilot of the Cha-Cha Maru, the ship captained by Tita Mu Koshigaya on the planet Yietta. He comes from a long line of skilled pilots and is himself ranked among the top five pilots on the planet. His parents died while attempting an infamous and grueling race, and his uncle, his last remaining family member, died shortly before Nichol met Tita. This shared experience of orphanhood creates a subtle bond between them and has earned him the nickname The Crownless Emperor, a title that reflects his undeniable piloting skills that have yet to be fully demonstrated in a major competition.

Personality-wise, Nichol can appear bumbling and prone to panic, but he consistently keeps a level head in genuine crisis situations, especially when the crew faces danger. He has a long-standing romantic crush on Tita, which sometimes leads him to act immaturely, such as when he and Roger attempt to spy on her while she bathes. Despite these lapses, he cares deeply for her and proves it by staying at her bedside after she is injured by the rogue commander Guizel. Tita quietly acknowledges his better qualities and shows her own fondness for him by giving him a small, chaste kiss on his forehead while he sleeps.

Nichol’s role in the story is that of a dependable supporting crew member whose piloting expertise is crucial during the Cha-Cha Maru’s confrontations with hostile forces. His motivations are driven largely by his affection for Tita and his desire to protect the crew. He shares a close friendship with Roger, with whom he often collaborates on mischief, and he maintains good relationships with the rest of the crew, who sometimes tease him. His development is subtle: he demonstrates growing responsibility when he remains by Tita’s side during her recovery, and in the subsequent manga storyline he pursues a long‑attempted race, suggesting continued personal ambition. His primary notable ability is expert piloting, which makes him an indispensable part of the ship’s operations.