I used to be a fan of Makeo, but lately I’ve started to think he seems a little suspicious. In a response to a previous question, he said something about wanting to go back and forth negotiating an increase in the allowance. Does he really want that? I seem to remember him saying there was someone he saw without an allowance (I remember because it was so shocking), so what’s the difference between her and the others?

I’ll answer as Maezawa from the president’s office. It’s not that they’re shady—they just all have one or two quirks. (笑) Whether they run an individual business or a corporation, people at the top are usually like that. Anyone who has worked with such people would understand. The person asking this question should work a little more on their ability to read people. Going from becoming a fan of someone to feeling suspicious of them shows that you still haven’t seen their true nature. Though I haven’t fully grasped it myself either. (笑) That said, if you’re going to do papa-katsu (compensated dating in Japan), I think you’ll come to understand these things through experience. Still, it would be even better if you could understand them now instead of taking years to figure them out. Even if you dream of a prince like the ones in manga and stories, I don’t think many people like that actually exist. Nobody is perfect. But there are people you’re compatible with and genuinely like. Try looking for someone like that.

I’m Dai, a male member. I’m not sure what exactly seems suspicious from the question. The point is that Mr. Makeo doesn’t restrict his relationships to just one particular arrangement. That’s different from so-called stingy men who want to date without paying any allowance at all. Some women receive 1 million yen a month, while others receive nothing. He must have all kinds of arrangements. At Universe Club, nearly 80% of the men report annual incomes under 20 million yen, so it isn’t easy for them—including me—to pay women a monthly allowance of 500,000 yen. On the other hand, a few percent of the men earn over 100 million yen a year, so I think it’s only natural that their dating styles are completely different. I’m always amazed by how impressive it all is.

I’m Meg, a female member. I like how hard you try, Mr. Loser.

I’m Loser Guy, a male member. Sounds sketchy, right? I think so too. Sometimes I even wonder whether I really exist. There are women who don’t want an allowance, but an adult relationship (intimate) without an allowance is tough for me. I just don’t have the mentality for free sex. Basically, I ask them to let me off with dinner only (no intimacy). If they insist, I won’t turn them down, though. Even writing this makes me sound arrogant, doesn’t it? That’s why I hate it. The happiness of being told they don’t want an allowance lasts only for the moment they say it. Just a moment. ※Just last week, one of the women I was keeping in touch with told me she wanted to see me regularly without an allowance. I reported to my club representative that I was thinking of ending things. Sorry, my thoughts are all over the place. The kind of woman I want to treat is one who tries to pay. If she doesn’t even reach for her wallet, I lose interest. I suppose that’s where the limits—or the smallness—of my character show. Changing the subject again. I’m not very articulate, but things aren’t really that simple or transactional. My feelings are always complicated. I want to fall genuinely in love, but when someone actually tells me she doesn’t need an allowance, I get confused. What I’m aiming for is genuine love after giving her an allowance. Most people probably feel that money puts the brakes on romance, but I think columnist Saito-san♪ would understand this: the more I like a woman, the more I want to give her an allowance. I want to give her an allowance and still fall genuinely in love. I can’t be in a relationship with a woman without giving her an allowance. It starts to feel somehow dishonest. I want to give her a proper allowance to keep myself emotionally stable. The reason I set my minimum allowance at 10+ in the first place comes from the spirit of fair trade (please Google it). The going rate that ordinary male members offer through Universe Club is currently 6+, but that doesn’t mean I feel comfortable offering a woman 6. It wouldn’t be fair. Maybe I could date someone for 6. Maybe I couldn’t. But if I have more than other people, shouldn’t I give more? That’s why I do. That’s all. I used to be poor, so I understand the value of money better than anyone. I’ve experienced having only 200 yen left in my wallet with a whole week still to go. Ah—this isn’t answering the question at all, is it? Sorry. I’m not as clear-headed as the other answerers. I’d be grateful if someone could help explain my principles—or wait, is “feelings” the right word?—more clearly. m(__)m Well, maybe that’s it. Since I’m actually Maezawa, let’s just say, “Good work on the fake post,” and conclude that Loser Guy is simply a sketchy person. ■Update 1 I think the people enjoying this the most right now are my representative and the staff at the branch. Ever since joining the club, I’ve been reporting the details of my activities to them almost daily, so the club knows everything—who my near-ace is, who my ace is, who doesn’t receive an allowance, and so on. I also tell them exactly how much I give each woman. The club isn’t asking me for this information; I report it voluntarily. The reason is that I want to help Universe Club grow. In business, information is everything. The club doesn’t get much information about what happens after members enter into private relationships, so I share details such as how I approach and win women over. I explain everything on my own, including how to win over women who aren’t swayed by simply being told they’re cute. Since discussions about allowances can be legally sensitive, I’m the one reporting all of this voluntarily. The club itself never says anything about allowances. ■Update 2 Thank you, Meg! I hope we can meet someday♪ ■Update 3 Mac, you’re a genius. Thank you, thank you, for putting into words something even I hadn’t realized. So that’s what I was trying to do. What do you eat to become that smart?? As you said, I give dates my all. I always check the location the day before and rehearse how I’ll escort her smoothly. I’ve never interrupted or contradicted a woman while she was talking. I just listen. I listen like crazy. I pick up on even the smallest bits of conversation and keep expanding on them as far as they’ll go. In my case, because I give relatively high allowances, people tend to assume I’m cutting corners in other areas, so I’m absolutely desperate to prove them wrong. (汗) “I’m not just a guy with money, you know!” I’m so desperate to show that it’s honestly pathetic.

If you just call him shady, that kind of defeats the purpose. When you think of it as him trying his absolute hardest—desperately making sure he doesn’t end up on the losing side—doesn’t it seem kind of cute? The clever ones give me more allowance than anyone else just to sleep with me, become incredibly nice people, and then I give them my brightest smile: “Thank you! What a lucky break! (One million yen♡)” I hope you, too, meet people who don’t stress you out, humbly hand over your allowance without hesitation, or talk as if giving is their reason for living. P.S. I’m not really sure why he went ahead and started a company for me, but I also have someone who takes care of everything related to my business. Before I even realize I need something, it’s already there. If I say I want to do something together—like play golf—he gets everything ready for it, and he supports me mentally as well. Sometimes I do feel a little suffocated, but I’m also grateful for how hard he tries, and it makes me happy. I forgot to sign my name. Akari