At first, he took me to high-end yakiniku restaurants and places I normally couldn’t go, but lately we’ve been making do with meals at love hotels, self-service udon shops, or convenience-store rice balls.

This is Saito, the columnist ♪ I think he may have cut back on what he spends on you and is either spending the money on another woman or saving it. If you look at it negatively, that’s probably what’s going on. Normally, even an expensive yakiniku dinner doesn’t cost that much—it depends on how much you drink. But if he’s taking you to musicals and golf, it doesn’t really seem like he’s worried about being recognized, so maybe there’s another reason? I’d like to know, too. P.S. I’m often afraid of being recognized myself, so I usually order room service. But if someone told me they wanted to eat out, I’d be happy to look for a private dining place.

I’m BB7, a papa-katsu member in my late 40s. First of all, I have to commend you for having spent two years together and enjoying yourselves like a real couple. Putting aside your own feelings, and assuming that your papa feels the same way, is it possible that he simply doesn’t care much about meals or isn’t particularly interested in dining out? Men from his generation probably have little idea where to take someone, especially to the kinds of cafés women tend to enjoy, even if you ask them to choose a place. I enjoy food, so I don’t mind searching for different restaurants online. But for a man who isn’t interested in food, researching, choosing, and making reservations between work commitments can be quite a hassle. Why not clearly suggest what you’d like to eat, or a particular restaurant or café you’d like to visit, and go there together? If someone booked a high-end restaurant costing ¥50,000 per person, I’d honestly be put off. But sometimes I think it would be easier if the woman found a specific place, made the reservation, and simply invited me to go with her. Of course, it’s also possible that he’s short on time and the plan is convenience-store rice balls → straight to the hotel for H → goodbye… You could start by telling him, “When you have time, I’d love to enjoy a dinner date too. I’ll choose the restaurant, so please leave it to me!”

Maezawa from the CEO’s Office here. > It’s been two years since we met, and I feel like we’ve been spending time together happily, just like a real couple. > Does he no longer care about me? I don’t think that’s the case. I think he does see you as someone he can spend time with like a real partner. For example, some married couples end up in a similar situation after being married for a while. It doesn’t necessarily mean their feelings have disappeared. Once a man feels comfortable enough to trust someone and share his time with them, some men simply start acting that way. But I think that’s because he feels comfortable with you. > If I were really his favorite, he wouldn’t treat me like this, right…? I do think you’re his favorite. It’s just that he may have gotten complacent—like the saying, “Once you’ve caught the fish, you stop feeding it.” It’s not a very nice way to put it, but I think that may be what’s happening. You may be thinking, “If I’m his favorite, then why does he act this way?” But I do believe you’re his favorite. > I’d like to have a meal even at a regular café rather than an upscale restaurant, but even when I try to bring it up gently… I think he feels very relaxed around you, so you’re probably at the point in your relationship where it’s okay to be more direct rather than hinting gently. If you speak firmly and he ends the relationship, then perhaps you weren’t really his favorite after all. That may contradict what I said above, but rather than continuing while harboring dissatisfaction, I think it’s better to tell him how you feel clearly. If that leads to the relationship ending, then it was simply that kind of relationship. No one is perfect, so deciding what you’re willing to compromise on is important. That said, I also think it might be a good idea to look for another man at the same time. You may then realize that, despite his flaws, your current man is a good overall match. Or you may meet someone even better than him.