I’ve been a Platinum member for two years. This is a request rather than a question.

I’m a male member named Seattle. Don’t be so stingy over that amount. Even Platinum members are affluent, aren’t they? “Sounds nice”—lots of people add that, so I didn’t remember who I’d said it to. Maybe it’s like men on dating apps liking every woman without even looking at her profile.

Maezawa from the president’s office here. Staff who joined within the past few years may not know this (and I suppose the members are the same), but back in the day, you could make an offer to a woman in a higher class by paying a special fee. When a Platinum male member wanted to make an offer to a Black-class woman, he had to pay the Black-class setting fee of ¥100,000 plus a special offer fee. I can’t remember exactly how much that was, but I vaguely recall that making two such offers might qualify you for a class upgrade, so I think it was around ¥100,000. But in the end, the system was discontinued. People would complain that it was expensive, you know. (笑) Since dealing with those complaints was a hassle, the system for making offers to women in higher classes was abolished. That said, I don’t know the real reason it was discontinued. If the reason really was that people complained about the cost, I’d be surprised—but it does sound plausible. (笑)

I’m Paper Airplane, a male member. No way… That kind of convenient proposal is rejected. If you appeal, you’ll be forcibly banned…

My name is Kurosaki, and I’m the chief at Universe Club’s Osaka branch. I think it’s a very good idea! However, if you don’t mind paying the ¥100,000 setting fee for the Black class, wouldn’t you also be willing to pay the ¥200,000 upgrade fee to join the Black class? (In fact, one in four male members is in the Black class.) What’s more, your membership remains valid for one year from the date of payment! Depending on the branch, you may also receive additional benefits available to Black-class members. *In Osaka, we offer early access to select gentlemen only.* If Black-class members received even greater benefits, perhaps you wouldn’t be hesitating and would go ahead with the upgrade. I’m sorry that we can’t offer that at this time. Maybe my sense of money is a little off, but with a ¥300,000 enrollment fee for the Black class—and annual renewals costing only ¥160,000—I even find it rather inexpensive. What would be best for the women, the men, and the club? It’s certainly a difficult question...