How can you tell whether a dating partner has genuinely fallen for you?

I’m Ayase Nana☆ This may sound harsh, but it’s not normal for an ordinary young woman to genuinely like someone who’s considerably older. Either she’s emotionally troubled, or there’s something a little off upstairs. I know that sounds terribly blunt, but if she cries, I think she’s probably saying “Oh, money~” behind your back. It’s only pseudo-romance, after all…

I’m Saito, a column writer ♪ When he starts saying, “I don’t need the money—just meet me.” That’s when it’s time to say goodbye.

I’m Flagmaker, a column writer. It’s not just the atmosphere or anything like that—I regularly get confessed to. When I turn them down, they burst into tears. Then, after a while, they get another boyfriend.

This is Joe. I know I’m not very good at reading women, so I can’t say what she really felt. But if she intertwined her tongue so intensely that I had to pull away, licked me in places like that, burst out laughing when I tried to return the favor, and even switched to polite speech only during that moment… then if I’m being fooled, whether she was sincere or not no longer really matters to me.

Questions about falling in love with one’s papa (a male supporter) pop up in this Q&A box from time to time, so I do think genuine romantic feelings exist in papa-katsu (compensated dating in Japan) as well. That said, it’s nothing but scary, and I don’t think it can ever end well. I’ve had women develop genuine feelings for me several times, but even that leaves a bad aftertaste. After all that, I decided to become “the papa who’s as conveniently perfect for women as possible,” and I’m currently seeing my monthly arrangement partners. It’s kind of the beauty of being No. 2. It’s fun to devote yourself to a woman. Rather than being doted on—or having someone fall genuinely in love with you—I get more of a “I’m amazing” boost to my self-esteem when I’m the one doing the giving (lol). In the context of papa-katsu, it feels like everything comes down to how much self-satisfaction and self-absorption you can get out of it. So I’d like the person asking this question to aim to be the one who gives, rather than the one who is doted on. In my case: ① Ace ② Former ace ③ Near-ace I’ve sworn to keep playing the role of a perfect papa—the ultimate No. 2 from a woman’s perspective—for these three women whose names include “Ace.” I stay close while maintaining a healthy distance, never getting in the way of their lives, but I want to give them my all whenever they’re in trouble. So far, I feel like I’ve managed to do that. When the aces rely on me, I respond with everything I’ve got, but I never approach them myself. That’s the kind of relationship it is. Of course, I give them as much allowance as I can. No matter how satisfied you make a woman, offering a low allowance is out of the question. I think the way of the papa is not to throw money at someone, but to play the role of the ultimate No. 2—or No. 3—and then give her the best allowance possible. A losing man

Even if you don’t have a boyfriend or any other papas, a hickey is still a no-go. I go swimming, to the gym, and play golf, and I take baths there too. Though lately, because of COVID, I sometimes skip the bath after golf. I also go to hot springs with my parents and wear revealing swimsuits. If I had a hickey at times like that, I’d seriously resent the man who gave it to me. Don’t think you’ve figured things out just because of something like that. If you don’t genuinely feel that he likes you, then she probably has another papa or a boyfriend. I’m genuinely in love too—but “genuinely in love–flavored,” so to speak. When we’re together, we’re truly lovey-dovey, and I miss him when we can’t meet. But if he said, “I’ll leave my wife and kids and be with you,” I’d be like, “Wait, let’s not rush into that.” He’s also “genuinely in love–flavored,” so thankfully he’s never said anything like that. Marika

I’m Aya, a female member. There are probably more people here who are firmly against catching real feelings, so asking may be pointless, but can’t you somehow tell by the way a woman looks at you? I’m a papa-katsu girl who’s genuinely in love with her papa (a male supporter). I shower him with such intense affection that he teases me, saying, “Don’t look at me like some student who’s just discovered romance.” I’m practically a yandere. I reply to LINE messages immediately, always answer his calls, never arrive late to meet him, and am basically glued to him whenever we’re together. Other signs include seriously asking him not to see other girls, or having him bring up the words “we’re dating” himself. If someone checks all those boxes, she’s either the real deal—a true professional—or a girl who’s genuinely fallen for him.