Private Omakase at Tamura Sushi / Dalgeon's Agency Hypnosis Scheme

In the car heading to Tamura Sushi, just ten minutes away.

"Ollie, what's the layout of the place we're going to?"

"Uh... it's just your standard omakase setup."

"That's exactly what I'm asking about—what does a standard omakase place look like?"

Ollie leaned in and poked my chest playfully.

"Master, have you really never been to one before?"

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"Huh?"

Of course not.

I'd only heard the term omakase, and as a broke student back then, I'd never set foot in one.

"Yeah, first time."

Ayoung, sitting in the front seat, chimed in for me.

"Master, usually it's a square wooden counter where the chef hands you sushi or dishes one by one. You just eat what they give you."

"Got it. You go there a lot, Ayoung?"

"I love Japanese food. I used to come here often with Seoyeon."

"I see. Does Seoyeon like sushi too?"

I scratched Seoyeon's chin like you would a cat.

"Yes! But I can't eat too much because of my diet."

"Is this place famous?"

Ayoung turned around from the front seat. Her face was lit up with uncontainable excitement.

"Oh yeah. Reservations at Tamura Sushi are so tough that foodies call it 'S-gang signup' instead of just 'course signup'—it's that legendary."

"That good? Now I'm hyped. So how'd you snag a spot, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Ollie?"

"It's a regular spot for me, plus I invested a little, so I'm VIP. They can fit us in anytime. Bet they're canceling other bookings right now just for us."

"They're bumping people for you?"

"Yep~ I hate waiting. And I'm tight with Chef Tamura."

Ollie grinned innocently.

"How many people do they seat?"

"Just one table, max ten per seating if they're really packing 'em in."

"That tiny?"

"Yeah. Only two chefs, but really, it's just Chef Tamura doing the work."

"Hmm..."

Wait a sec... won't we stand out too much? Should we go somewhere else?

Nah. With the coins I earned today, maybe I can hypnotize this place too. If the food's this good, it'd be worth coming back.

I watched Ollie chattering away, lost in thought.

What kind of lives do rich people really live? It hit me again—money makes the world so damn easy.

I'd seen clips online of Dubai billionaires parading women around like dogs or renting yachts for sex ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠parties, no hypnosis app needed.

Korea's shady underbelly probably isn't far behind.

Ayoung was still rambling on, oblivious that my mind had wandered.

"It's run by this Japanese chef called 'Tamura God,' and he only uses the absolute best ingredients..."

"Got it, Ayoung. I can tell you're pumped, but save some for the surprise. Let's enjoy discovering it."

"Yes, Master."

Even on this short drive, with all the women crammed in the car, the chatter never stopped—boisterous and lively.

Jian was asking Haeun where she got those cute pink panties, and Ayoung ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠was getting a divorce lawyer rec from Sia.

Divorce.

Yesterday and today, while fucking Seoyeon and Ayoung, I'd finally shot the video letter to send to her husband, just like they wanted.

Footage was mostly done; just needed to hand it off for editing.

Moments later, Haeun announced our arrival.

"We're here, Master."

We all piled out.

True to the rumors, it was a tiny spot from the outside. A small sign in Japanese, wooden sliding door at the entrance—like a private home more than a restaurant.

"This the place?"

"Yes, Master."

"Call me Seongtae outside."

"I couldn't possibly..."

"Seongtae. Everyone does. Right, Ayoung?"

"Yes, exactly. Seongtae."

Ayoung replied with her hands politely clasped.

"Shall we head in then, Seongtae?"

"Yeah."

Ollie rang the doorbell naturally.

"Tamura Sushi. Do you have a reservation?"

"It's me, Olivia."

"We've been expecting you, miss. Please wait just a moment."

Super private. Places like this actually exist.

A few seconds later, the sliding door slid open with a rattle.

"Welcome, miss."

A neatly dressed man in all black—from head to toe—greeted us.

"Oh, hi?"

Ollie handed off her coat. I still wasn't used to her legging outfit.

We checked our coats and walked down the hallway. The wooden interior had sake bottles displayed in upper shelves, signed photos and pics with celebrities and politicians on the walls.

Whoa... tons of proof shots. It really is famous.

"This is so cool, oppa, right?"

"Yeah."

Unlike the chilly wind outside, stepping inside felt perfectly temperate and fresh.

We trailed behind Ollie.

Deeper in, a spacious, impeccably clean room opened up. A U-shaped wooden counter dominated the elegant space, with a bald chef in a crisp white uniform standing at the center.

He looked every bit the sushi master.

"O-hisashiburi desu, Olivia-san."

"Konbanwa~ Long time no see, Tamura-san."

"I hope you've been well, Ms. Olivia. Welcome to everyone with you."

I nodded in greeting.

"Hello. Heard you're Japanese—your Korean's impressive."

"I've lived here over ten years now, so I manage a bit."

"I see."

Ollie said,

"Everyone, sit. Seongtae next to me!"

Ollie grabbed my arm and pulled me to sit beside her, slightly off to the side from facing the chef directly.

We settled in order: Sia, Ayoung, Seoyeon, Jian, me, Ollie, Haeun.

Seoyeon looked pissed that Ollie had snagged the spot next to me.

Ollie might regret that later—Seoyeon's no pushover.

Ollie stood and announced,

"No one's here but us, so feel free to relax. That's cool, right, Tamura-san?"

"Of course. Make yourselves at home."

As soon as we sat and started chatting, the chef introduced sake to Ollie. An assistant slipped in quietly, grinding something nearby.

"What's that?"

I asked Ollie.

"That's wasabi, Seongtae."

So that's what fresh wasabi looks like.

Tamura approached Ollie with a bottle of sake.

"Kaze no Mori. It's junmai daiginjo."

I didn't catch most of it without knowing the terms.

Junmai daiginjo? What's that?

The black-clad staffer, standing ninja-silent in the corner, poured sake for everyone.

I glanced sympathetically at Haeun on my far right.

"What about Haeun? Can't drink, huh."

"Yeah, too bad."

Glasses full, I stood.

"How about a cheers to celebrate today?"

"Sure~"

"Cheers!"

Clink clink clink.

I clinked with Jian and Ollie beside me, starting to sit, but Seoyeon half-stood, dying to join, so I obliged.

"Ahh!"

A sip had a slight fizz—pretty solid aperitif.

"Haha, looks like today's real star isn't Ms. Olivia, but the gentleman beside her."

No need to hide it.

"Good eye, Chef. Haha."

"So, Ms. Olivia's new boyfriend?"

Ollie covered her mouth, feigning shyness.

"B-boyfriend?"

Thud!

Someone slammed their glass down.

Jian, Seoyeon, Sia, Haeun—all their faces soured. A cold silence blanketed the room.

"Looks like I misspoke. Anyway, you're a lucky man surrounded by such beauties."

Tamura quickly plated seven small dishes.

"Fluke sashimi. This one's made with red sea bream."

Fluke and sea bream dishes arrived in tiny bowls.

"Oppa."

"Yeah? What."

"Ahhhn."

Jian picked up a piece of fluke with chopsticks, offering it to me.

"Really? Ahh."

I figured fluke was fluke, but the flavor on my tongue was something else.

"Tasty, oppa?"

"Yeah, delicious."

A sip of sake cut through it perfectly.

Jian opened her mouth.

"Me too..."

I grabbed a reddish piece of fluke and fed it to her; she chewed happily.

"Mmm, so good."

Ollie scooped some sea bream with a spoon, aiming to feed me.

"Enough. I can feed myself."

"Okay, Seongtae. Hmph."

Ollie sulked.

"So, what do you think so far, Seongtae?"

"First dish is already killer. How many courses?"

Chef Tamura answered.

"Twenty-five today. Curious about the ingredients? I can show a few."

"Sure, love to."

"Start with uni, Tamura-san."

"Alright, uni first."

He brought a large wooden box filled with neatly arranged orange sea urchin roe.

"This is top-grade Hokkaido uni straight from my hometown."

"Ooh."

I had no clue about taste, but the presentation alone drew gasps.

Dishes kept coming nonstop: horse mackerel, mackerel, young yellowtail, tuna, and more sushi varieties. Fresh sake between courses brought a pleasant buzz.

Back at the table, I tapped Seoyeon's shoulder lightly as she ate sushi casually.

She turned with a bright smile, holding a uni piece.

"Hehe, heard uni's like cum, but nah—tastier than semen."

Chef Tamura flinched mid-sashimi prep.

"Really? Get ready for something even more fun tomorrow, Seoyeon."

"Huh? Every day's a blast lately. Hehehe."