Natsu-bappa*, thinking that Aki is just a regular tourist, feeds her some sea urchins and charges her for it. The other Amas inform Natsu that Aki is her granddaughter. Natsu is surprised but quickly recovers. She says to Aki, "Okay, I'll give you a family discount." Meanwhile, Daikichi and Anbe Sayuri (Ama and former classmate of Haruko, 42) explain to Haruko the real reason why she was called home. They say the Ama group will become extinct because Natsu was heard saying she will be retiring soon, and there is no willing successor. "The other Amas said if Natsu-san retires, then they'll quit, too!" They want Haruko to become an ama. But she refuses, saying she hates it, and it is among the reasons why she left home in the first place (she did not want to follow in her mother's footsteps). Natsu arrives but is cold towards Haruko and vice versa. Aki notices it. Contrary to what Daikichi said, Natsu declares it will be a long ways off before she retires from being an Ama. She also charges Haruko payment for the sea urchins that Aki ate a while back. Haruko is irked and gets up to leave. "Aki, let's go back to Tokyo!" But Aki refuses, saying she wants to stay.
アキ(能年玲奈)は、目の前でウニを取る海女が祖母・夏(宮本信子)であることを知る。夏が危篤という知らせは、幼なじみの大吉(杉本哲太)が春子(小泉今日子)を町に呼び戻すためについたウソだった。町おこしに燃える北三陸駅の駅長・大吉は「引退宣言した夏に代わって、海女になってくれ」と春子に頼む。24年ぶりに顔を合わせた夏と春子はぎくしゃくしたまま。口論の末、春子はアキを連れて東京に帰ろうとするが…。