It was after 2 a.m. and I was on a mission in Kabukicho. The assignment involved two things: alcohol and men. As dangerous a combination as that is, what woman could resist such temptation? Certainly not this one.

For the first time in my life I was headed for a host club -- primed to interview hosts. Hopefully, too, I'd also be able to satisfy a personal, long-standing curiosity about why women are attracted to them. So it was that I eagerly entered Club Gigolo.

I at once found myself face to face with my first prey (or predators?) -- Hideki Aso, Misaki Kanzaki and Kaoru, three of the club's 50 staffers.