There are three types of character traits to be avoided: vice, lack of self-mastery, and brutality.

Maki closed her eyes for a while. Then she opened them and shook her head.

"Nico-chan," she began. Then she took Nico's hand. Was it worse than she'd guessed?

"Nico-chan, first of all, I did NOT write 'ILL' in English. This is my third section of notes on you, Nico. It's normal to write 3 as Roman numerals. If that's not enough of a clue, the Roman numeral "III" for 3 looks like the kanji for 3, only on it's side. Are you with me, so far?"

Okay, Nico was a little embarrassed, now. But still. Three sections on Nico in Maki's medical notebook still did not sound good.

"And as for the 'Cancer,' Nico-chan ... well, did you understand what I said about it being impossible to diagnose here at your house, even for a trained doctor, let alone someone who's years and years away from being one, like me?"

Nico nodded, confused and still just as worried.

"Okay, Nico, your birthday is coming up soon, right?"

Nico nodded.

"Well, one of the things that helps me remember people's birthdays is noting down their seiza uranai. What's yours, again, Nico, has anyone ever told you?"

She thought for a second, then reddened. "Ca-cancer."

Maki looked triumphant.

"Exactly. Cancer. Gan. Gan SEIZA, Nico. Not gan no BYOUKI."

If she wasn't still so stressed, Nico would have slapped her own forehead.

"Then, then, what's wrong with Nico?" she finally managed to ask. There. It was out there, at last.

For some reason, Maki closed her eyes again. With them still closed she said, quietly, "I think Nico has been hiding this too long, out of shame, or pride, or fear. And I think of all of us, maybe, Nico, you and I need to talk to Alisa and Yukiho, and you can discuss things. They're good girls, and won't tell your secrets."

What on Earth could those two little sisters have to discuss with Nico? Maki was being almost deliberately mysterious.

"Nico," Maki continued mysteriously, "one of the things I looked up was when you date the onset from, and it seems like it's the first actual period. So you will be over the line into your 18th, and a few standard deviations out. I would congratulate you, but you wouldn't appreciate it, I think."

Then, looking over at Nico, she seemed to suddenly realize she hadn't explained herself well.

"I am going to get you something soothing for your birthday, Nico. This can't be easy for you. But Mother Nature is giving you a birthday present that it will be hard to top."

"Mother Nature?"

"Well, Konohanasakuya-hime, maybe?"

"Nico understood that part, but what's the present about?"

"Nico," Maki began, and hesitated, then stated, quietly but firmly, "You're going to be a woman soon."