Do members genuinely—or at least somewhat—“like” the women (or men) they continue seeing? Or do they have little to no feelings and simply regard them as temporary, fleeting partners for fun, or just someone who gives them an allowance? If they do “like” them even a little, isn’t it painful when the relationship ends? Or do they really have hardly any feelings for the other person?

I’m Saito, a column writer ♪ It’s the same kind of feeling as when “liking” someone over a long period gradually turns into more of a sense of being partners in life. It’s also somewhat similar to sending financial support to your daughter. (That might be a little misleading, though.)

Maezawa from Shacho-shitsu here, answering as well. > Do you think they “like” you, at least a little? I think most of them do. That said, some people seem to be interested only in intimacy, so I don’t think that applies to everyone. > If they do “like” you even a little, isn’t breaking up painful for them? I think it is. If you’re seeing only one person, breaking up can be painful. That’s why some people see multiple partners—to lessen the pain.

I’m Rula, a UC male member and a member of the new salon. Yes, I like the woman I’m seeing, and I feel that she likes me too. Relationships through a dating club involve money, so they’re described in various ways, such as “pseudo-romance” or a “contractual relationship.” But there’s no denying that they’re still a form of romance. At the very least, I wouldn’t want to see someone unless I genuinely liked her as a person, and I wouldn’t want any woman to continue seeing me if she felt pressured to do so. When you think about it, in a marriage where the wife is a homemaker, the husband gives her money every month for living expenses. In that sense, a dating-club relationship isn’t fundamentally different when it comes to “a financially capable man supporting a woman.” Rather than focusing on the fact that you met through a dating club, I think it’s better to remember that you need to respect the other person’s position whenever you’re in a relationship. Everyone’s circumstances are different, so I want to make sure I think and act responsibly as an adult.

I’m Seattle, a male member. I’m single, so I treat them with care as if they were my girlfriend. That’s why I can’t take on any more. If I met someone truly wonderful, I might even want to get married. But it’s hard to imagine the other person feeling the same way, so I try to be careful not to misread the distance between us. Younger women are busy, so I can’t be possessive. The person I like best is my top priority, and there’s no doubt that I have strong feelings for her. Still, I’m constantly holding myself back so I don’t get too deeply involved.