Have you met someone you can talk to about anything? Even when I’ve been intimate with the people I’ve met, we never connect emotionally, and our interactions stay superficial. Is that just how it is? I joined a club to fill the loneliness, but it’s only made me feel lonelier.

I’m Cocoa, a female member. Are you a man or a woman? When communicating with another person, it’s natural to feel anxious because you can’t know what they’re thinking. I believe connections often come to an end because both people intend to catch the ball coming their way, but end up watching it pass without picking it up. If you’re a woman and have feelings beyond money involved, I recommend honestly telling the other person how you truly feel instead of hesitating. The fact that you’re struggling with something other than money could become an important opportunity to deepen your relationship with the other person. Some men may feel they shouldn’t get too involved. But sharing your honest concerns—including how you came to feel that way—may unexpectedly help you feel relieved. If you’re a male member, you also need to determine how the woman truly feels. It may be necessary to increase the number of offers you make or to gradually find out what kind of relationship she wants beyond financial support. By honestly talking about my feelings, I was able to find a place of emotional healing at Universe. Whether you’re a man or a woman, I hope you find a wonderful connection.

Maezawa from the CEO’s Office here. Thank you for your question. First of all, did you tell her everything about yourself? If you approached her believing she was someone you could open up to about anything, then from your perspective, wouldn’t it be impossible to know whether she was only pretending? Or was her acting so poor that there were obvious lies which made it immediately clear that she was only putting on an act? If she was good at acting and there’s no clear evidence that she was only pretending, I think it’s okay to believe that she wasn’t. If she keeps up a lie all the way to the end, then from our perspective, it’s the truth. If you remain suspicious simply because you can’t tell whether something is true or not, you’ll keep doubting her even when she’s being honest. The fact that all your relationships have been superficial so far may be partly due to your own approach. If you trust someone unless there’s a clear contradiction, I think you’ll be more likely to have the kind of relationship you’re looking for. That said, if the real issue is that you haven’t found anyone you genuinely connect with, you may need to make offers to many more women. Of course, money is necessary, but there are plenty of women who want to spend time with you as a person, not just for the money. And I think you can usually tell what kind of person they are on the first date. If you feel even slightly that someone isn’t right for you on the first date, it’s probably best to move on to the next woman. Alternatively, why not ask the staff to introduce you to women with good personalities? You could even make an offer without looking at their photos or profiles—though I imagine you’d end up looking anyway. Set aside your other preferences for now and start by meeting women with good personalities. I think that would be the best approach.

I’m Basil, a male member. I’m cautious about having my identity exposed, so I hesitate to tell them everything when we first start seeing each other. Of course, it would be ideal to be able to talk openly and build an emotional connection, but it’s rare to meet a girl I’d actually want that kind of relationship with. Girls who are new to this world tend to offer more hope, but they gradually become jaded, and after meeting a few times, I often end up disappointed. In the end, I realize they’re only interested in the money and the physical side of things, so I just enjoy each meeting for what it is.

I’m だて◎ゆめ, a male member. I’m the type who wants a deeply involved relationship, so I prefer being almost completely open with each other（笑）. That said, I only date one person at a time, and I always keep the possibility of parting in mind as we continue seeing each other. I’m sure people meet in all kinds of places and circumstances, but I think whether you become deeply involved or keep your distance depends on how you choose to interact after meeting. Even if you meet through an entertainment club, it’s still just another way of meeting someone, so I don’t think you need to look at it too negatively. Talk through the kind of relationship your partner wants and the kind you want, share your dreams and worries, as well as what you like and dislike, and get a feel for your compatibility while getting to know each other. I think that’s how you can gradually deepen the relationship.

I’m Flag Maker, a column writer. You don’t want a male friend—you want a younger, beautiful, cute woman you can talk to about anything, right? It’s easy to see when you put it into words, but that’s a very difficult thing to find. I understand that feeling extremely well. But after going through various experiences, I realized something: with women I’ve had an intimate relationship with, I end up lying out of consideration for them. In other words, I’m the one who can no longer talk about anything openly. So, given my personality, that kind of relationship just isn’t possible for me here.

I’m Taro, a male member. I think relationships at dating clubs can sometimes become rather superficial. From a man’s perspective, think about how much effort it normally takes to get close to a woman you like and become intimate with her. At a club, you can choose from the member site, go on a date soon after making an offer, and, as long as you’re clean, follow the rules and etiquette, and agree on the allowance, intimacy can happen. It’s almost too easy to develop real feelings. Of course, these aren’t ordinary relationships, so there is still room for a deeper bond or emotional connection to form. But if you look only at the pattern of becoming intimate and exchanging an allowance, a superficial relationship can work perfectly well. Rather than overstepping and getting into emotional clashes, there’s a kind of equilibrium where keeping things stable at a certain distance may seem like the better option. To create the situation you’re looking for, you need to break that equilibrium. This is just speculation, but perhaps you’re the sort of awkward person who has trouble building deep relationships in everyday life as well. So even after becoming intimate through the arrangement, you hold back a little and keep your distance. If that’s the case, you’re heading straight for that comfortable equilibrium. What you need to do is struggle against settling into it. Don’t be too well-behaved. Let your desires and feelings show. But simply being selfish won’t get through to her, so if you’re going to say something, perhaps frame it as “once in a lifetime.” Something like: “I know this is the kind of relationship we have, but when I meet someone and become intimate with them, I want to treat that person sincerely. That’s why I’m interested in you, and why your words and actions affect my feelings.” Even writing that makes me cringe, but try giving yourself that much of a pep talk, summon the courage to take one step forward, and allow a little friction into the relationship. Also, it helps to set a small goal each time you meet. Something like, “Today, I’m definitely going to hold her hand.” Anything is fine—just keep it small. The excitement of having those little wins and setbacks can motivate you. Good luck.

When I got home, I was surprised to see the Common Test prep books already piled up to be thrown away. “Huh? Already? That was fast…” I thought. My son must not be planning to take a gap year—what confidence! This is Paper Airplane, a male member. Only share your body with someone you truly connect with emotionally. He’s not my son, but when you’re trying to make your wishes come true, hesitation is out of the question.

I’m Kazu, a male member. I’m not sure how far “anything” is meant to go, but I feel that with the woman I see at least once a week, we’ve developed a relationship that goes beyond just putting on appearances. I’m a very cautious person, so how did we end up having that kind of relationship? As we continued seeing each other, she came to trust me and began opening up about various things. If you’re willing to talk openly about everything, you may find that some people will open up to you in return. I think you need to get to know the other person through the relationship and, if they seem trustworthy, have the courage to take the plunge. If you’re a man, making lots of offers increases your chances of meeting a woman who’s a good match for you on a personal level. I think it’s wonderful that at a dating club, you can meet someone compatible simply by paying the setting fees.

It’s me, Itsumi. I think it really depends on how you choose to view it. The moment you think or say, “We’re only having superficial interactions,” is when the relationship starts to become superficial. Maybe your partner doesn’t see it as “just superficial.” And even if they do, they may be trying their best so that you won’t feel that way. If you can shift your mindset, your loneliness may fade and you may start to feel happier. Oh, I haven’t actually answered your question yet. I’ve found someone I can talk to about anything, and my partner also opens up to me a lot. Why not try talking more yourself to start with? The more you talk, the easier it becomes to lower those emotional barriers, and you’ll gradually get a feel for each other’s off-limits topics.