I wish there were more papas like Kamihikōki. No matter how many times women report being treated badly by the club, they can’t get those guys banned, after all.

I’m Tetsu, a male member. If you simply say that someone treated you terribly without providing any specifics, the club won’t know what actually happened. And if you demand that the person be banned, the club may understandably see you as nothing more than a complainer under those circumstances. From the club’s perspective, both male and female members are valued customers. They can’t just take one person’s side of the story at face value.

I’m Hikoki, a male member. Many of the women at the club are wonderful and very good at giving compliments. They may be flattering me, but they make themselves seem happy and engaged, which puts me at ease too. They keep the conversation so lively and make me feel so good that I sometimes wonder who is actually entertaining whom. Before I know it, the time has flown by. That said, in reality, I get the impression that some women end up meeting disappointing men 60–70% of the time when their luck is bad. The fact that men can meet a woman simply by making an offer is ultimately a nuisance—not only for the women, but for the men as well, since women may leave the club early because of those kinds of men. Men get to meet so many wonderful women who are also incredibly enjoyable to spend time with. On the other hand, women don’t have nearly as many opportunities to meet truly wonderful men, so I understand why they feel not just a little, but quite a strong sense of unfairness. I’m answering with the hope that the club will still be thriving ten years from now. I believe that the more the club gains a reputation for women being just as impressive as the men, the more that will create a positive cycle in the long run. That’s why I keep wondering how we can reduce the number of men who think, “I can meet anyone as long as I make an offer” or “I’m paying, so I’m entitled to this.” It’s a difficult issue, but I hope it can gradually improve, even if only little by little.

I’m Aya, a female member. I understand how you feel… If a man treated me terribly, I think I’d feel the same way. But that’s just how the world works: you’re expected to listen to the people who have the money. In an exclusive dating club, the papa (a male supporter) is the one paying. He pays the club a substantial amount—around ¥50,000–¥100,000 per meeting—and in a sense, the member papas are effectively paying the employees’ entire salaries too. So I feel like, 80% of the time, things are set up so that the papa’s side of the story prevails. Within that kind of club structure, being able to have a pleasant arrangement without getting hurt seems to depend largely on natural aptitude and emotional resilience. I hope you find a wonderful partner, too.