I’m a male member looking forward to meeting a woman from out of town (Type D), about an 80-minute Shinkansen ride away. I initially offered to meet around 6 p.m. on the agreed date, but when I didn’t receive a reply, I offered again and told her she could choose the time. She immediately replied that she could make it at 9 p.m., so we agreed on that. I understand from UC that the first meeting is supposed to last four hours, but there won’t be much time between meeting her and the last Shinkansen. What kind of routine should I follow? She’s exactly my type, so I’d like to see her again.

Yokohama Branch staff member Takei here—I’d like to answer as well. First, ask the woman what time she would like to wrap things up. If you only have about two hours, you could ask her something like: “Since it may be quite late by the time you head home, would you like me to arrange a hotel where you can stay?” If she agrees, arranging a hotel near the restaurant should give you more time and flexibility. If she would prefer to go home the same day, and since the meeting starts late, you could have her eat beforehand and talk about the possibility of seeing each other in the future over tea at a café near the meeting place. I hope this is at least somewhat helpful.

I’m Maezawa from the President’s Office, and I’ll answer this one. Thank you for your question. If you’re meeting at 9 p.m. and the last train is around 11:30 p.m., you’ll only be able to spend about two hours together. I think it would be a good idea to ask the branch staff something like: “It looks like we’ll only have about two hours. Should I book a hotel where she can stay by herself?” You may be wondering, “Why a hotel where she can stay alone?” But that’s how the rules work at Universe. As long as the woman has the right to decline, she needs to have a room to return to even if she says no. Otherwise, she may feel unable to refuse even when she wants to. Some women may also find it difficult to share the same room with someone else from the very first day. As long as a room is available, I think it should be fine to part ways at 2 a.m., provided she agrees. (You’ll need to cover the taxi fare to the hotel you booked.) Also, you’ll need to pay for the round-trip bullet train fare, accommodation, transportation, and an additional ¥5,000–¥10,000 as a courtesy payment. Since that final amount is listed as transportation expenses, some people apparently misunderstand and only pay for the bullet train tickets. However, the courtesy payment—an allowance—is also required.

I’m Kazu, a male member. If I were you, I’d ask her through Universe, “If we start at 9 p.m., you might miss the last train. Would that be okay?” That would be the safest way to make sure.