I’m the female member in my 40s who asked a question after receiving a LINE message from a former male member on the 7th, after six months of silence.

I truly want to thank everyone who gave me so many kind and thoughtful answers. Following everyone’s advice, I messaged the former male member. He replied. He said he was studying to become a university professor and is currently a student without any money. He joined Universe last September, but had to leave because he couldn’t afford to renew his membership. He said, “I’m terribly sorry, but would you meet me one more time without an allowance? Please.” That was the gist of his message. He was an intelligent, well-educated, and attractive person, but after taking everyone’s answers to heart, I decided that I shouldn’t sell myself short. Money isn’t everything, but I felt that a truly sincere person wouldn’t ask to meet without an allowance, so I politely declined. Everyone’s answers opened my eyes. I realized that I shouldn’t sell myself short or rely on someone just because I felt lonely. Thank you all so much. I’ll have been registered for a year at the end of September. I received an offer fairly soon after registering, but it came at 11:15 that morning. A staff member called and said that a male member had offered to meet me for lunch at noon that day. I was at home in my loungewear without any makeup, and even if I changed and did my makeup in 45 minutes, the earliest I could reach the meeting place would have been 1:30 or 2:00. I thought lunch would be over by then, so although it was my first offer, I reluctantly had to turn it down. The second and third offers were from the former male member I mentioned on the 7th. For the fourth offer, I had new photos taken in a kimono in June and received an offer fairly soon afterward. However, our schedules didn’t work out. I told the staff member that I would be available the following week or the week after, but apparently the male member specifically wanted that day, so unfortunately it was canceled. I’ll have been registered for a year at the end of September, but I’ve received only four offers. I had been feeling very discouraged, but after reading everyone’s answers, I realized that, among all the beautiful women in their 20s, I had still received four offers in my 40s. That’s actually an amazing thing! I encouraged myself with that thought and started feeling that I could move forward positively. Aya, Thank you for your kind, counseling-like response. Your gentle words brought me to tears and truly helped heal my heart. Thank you so much. 向日葵, Thank you for putting yourself in my shoes and thinking about things from my perspective. I’ve been wondering for a while—are your nails doing okay now? Apparently shea butter cream can also help with burns and cuts, so please give it a try if you’d like. Taro, Thank you for analyzing male psychology. I think the former male member’s motives were exactly as you said. I almost fell for it, but your explanation opened my eyes. Thank you for calling me an attractive woman. I’ll work on myself so I won’t disappoint the men I meet! Mac, I’ll keep these words close to my heart: “Accept blooming and withering naturally; on rainy days, let yourself get wet in the rain, and on windy days, sway with the wind. Even so, continue to bloom beautifully, without ever taking pride in your own beauty.” I’ll do my best. I’ve always wondered—how do you understand women’s feelings so well? I was amazed at how accurately you understood what I was feeling. I’ll keep going without putting myself down, remembering these words. Makeo, I understand why you felt it was unacceptable from a matter of pride, and thank you for telling me that I hadn’t done anything wrong. Money isn’t everything, but I felt miserable and sad. The allowance of 30,000 yen was paid to me by a salaried man in his mid-50s, with three children, whom I dated from last October through June. He was a kind papa (a male supporter) who bought me souvenirs whenever he went on business trips and, during the winter, worried about my poor circulation and gave me a belly warmer. He was a papa I truly loved—we even went to the shrine for New Year’s wearing kimono, and he told me I looked beautiful. But his wife became suspicious, and we can no longer contact each other. I was so lonely that I almost sold myself short, but your answer saying that 30,000 yen should be the minimum helped me avoid losing sight of myself. Thank you so much. Dai, Thank you for your answer. He told me there would be no allowance. Rin, Thank you for telling me that I didn’t need to put myself down and should be honest with myself. Without realizing it, I had become self-deprecating and unpleasant. I’ll work on myself. Date◎Yume, Thank you for your answer. He told me there would be no allowance. Misato, Thank you for giving specific examples. Your kind response was very comforting. Maezawa, He joined last September but left because he couldn’t afford to renew his membership. Thank you for your answer. Ayase Nana, You were exactly right. Perhaps my loneliness left me vulnerable. I’ll stay true to myself and do my best. Osaka, When I accepted the offer, it was in late January, and he hadn’t stated that he would pay 10,000 yen. When I looked at the male member’s profile this June, it had been added. But when I contacted him, he said it wouldn’t be 10,000 yen—there would be no allowance at all. I’m very sorry that this has turned into a report and a thank-you message rather than a question, even though this is a Q&A section. However, I was so happy and relieved that complete strangers took the time to respond to me with such kindness that I simply had to thank you. I fully understand that this may inconvenience other people, but I hope you’ll forgive me. Thank you all so much.