The gold-tier woman I’m seeing was 18 when we met, but instead of getting a job, she now supports herself entirely through papa-katsu (compensated dating in Japan).

I’m Meg, a female member. You’re truly an amazing educator! If there were such a thing as a papa-katsu trainer certification, you’d pass the Level 1 exam without a doubt. P.S. to Flag Maker: Having a man who can empathize with female coworkers as an equal must make the workplace much more comfortable for them. You’re so good at being supportive!

I’m Flag Maker, a columnist. Since I work in a female-dominated field, I do encounter that kind of thing at work. But I’d never thought about nurturing someone you meet through a club like this. I didn’t realize that could be part of the fun, too. I think it’s impressive that you can do that—I definitely couldn’t. Outside of work, I only give advice when I’m asked. With women, I figure that if you’re always there for them—affirming them, celebrating their happiness with them, and sharing in their pain—they’ll make their own choices and grow on their own. That’s about all I can say.

I’m Hikōki, a male member. There’s a woman at the club who’s a platinum member, and I’ve been left stunned by how much attention she gets—she’s suddenly being taken on trips and receiving three-figure gifts, far beyond anything I could have imagined. I assumed that, with such generous supporters, she wouldn’t need me anymore. But she still invites me out on ordinary dates just as before—actually, more often than she used to. She seems to view the club as a job and doesn’t want to think about it in her daily life, so I try to avoid bringing up the club as much as possible. She has a regular job and is starting to seriously think about marriage, so most of the time she asks me for advice about dating and finding a husband. She seems to regard the club as simply work and doesn’t really have it on her mind—although the stress seems to have built up to an almost unmanageable level. If she’s constantly receiving that kind of preferential treatment at the club and elsewhere, I imagine that going on dates with a young man would offer little novelty or excitement in terms of the places they go or what they talk about. Their dating styles are completely different too, and the men aren’t nearly as polished, so I feel it would be far too difficult for her. At the same time, she’s getting closer to the age when she wants to marry, yet things with ordinary men are nothing like the club and don’t go the way she hopes. As I tell her what ordinary men feel on dates, recalling my own dates and marriage proposal in my twenties, I find myself reminiscing about the past as well.

I’m Date◎Yume, a male member. That’s excellent advice. I can’t seem to do the same. I spend it all right away, so my debts just keep piling up（笑).

I’m a male member from Seattle. You can’t live off eight figures a year forever. If you help her save at least nine figures, I think that’s the right way to live. I really hope you’ll stay with her until she gets there.

I’m Saito, a columnist♪ As you said, earning that much can really take a toll on your mental health, so please make sure to take good care of yourself emotionally.