Natsu and Haruko arrive at the sea to find Aki swimming happily. She calls out to both of them and declares "I wanna be an Ama!" Later, the Ama-sans and the others hear about it and are ecstatic. But Haruko says she and Aki still need to discuss about it. That night, Aki is adamant even if Haruko warns her about the dangers of swimming in the open sea. "But I wouldn't know if I don't try!" Aki argues back. Haruko reveals that growing up in a sea-loving home is lonely. Her father, a deep-sea fisherman, and her Ama mother spent all their time at the sea so she vowed that when she marry, it would be to someone who comes home every day. She also tells her that her dislike for the sea was why she did not want to be an Ama. In fact, she ran away 24 years ago the day after the mayor and other locals back then, were imploring her to become an Ama. Finally, after their talk, Haruko gives her blessing and lets Aki stay and learn to dive only for the summer break. Next day, Haruko treats Hiroshi with a meal, thanking him for "saving" Aki even if she was not really drowning. At the beach, the Ama-sans gather for a new official group portrait, this time with Aki in the center as the first rookie ama after 24 years.
自分の殻を打ち破ろうと、自ら海に飛び込んだアキ（能年玲奈）。警報を聞いて駆けつけた春子（小泉今日子）や夏（宮本信子）を前に「海女になりたい」と宣言する。夏や町の人々は大喜びするが、春子は反対。春子とアキは親子水入らずで話し、そこで春子は自分の過去を初めて娘に語る。かつて、周囲の期待を受けながら海女になることを拒み、家出同然で上京した春子。アキが初めて示した熱意を前に、春子が出した答えとは…。
