In the bright, fragrant hallway, a nurse sets a cup of flower tea onto the low table before Noire.
Rehabilitation Nurse: Ms. Noire, you know you're already six months overdue for therapy.
The nurse's words are as soft and sweet as white sugar.
Noire: Sorry, I was shooting a film.
After In the Spring Bloom releases, Lin finally manages to convince Noire to return to the hospital.
Rehabilitation Nurse: Please wait just a moment. The doctor will see you shortly.
Noire: Sure.
The nurse offers a slight bow before heading back to her reception desk.
Even in this private hospital, the waiting area is filled with people. All seats are fully occupied, and at the far end of the hallway, a group of women stands by the wall, engaged in quiet conversation.
Noire looks around briefly before patting the vacant spot on her wheelchair.
Noire: Care to rest your legs for a while?
Lin: ...
As Lin looks at Noire's smiling face, she can't help but sigh.
Lin: Sometimes, I wonder if things were better the way you were before.
Noire: If I hadn't shaped up, then Shi and Alisa would have left the company.
Lin: ...!
Lin: Did they say something to you?
She shakes her head.
Noire: I met an old partner at the launch party. He told me that they had already handed over their resumes to him.
Lin: Uh ...
Noire: But, in the end, they decided to stick around, didn't they?
There seems to be nothing to discern from Noire's smile. All her emotions, good and bad, are locked up somewhere beneath it.
Rehabilitation Nurse: Ms. Noire, the doctor is ready for you. Please, go in.
Noire: Thanks.
She nods to the nurse, who then grips the armrest of the wheelchair and pushes her into the room.
Noire: It won't take long. I'll be out soon.
She turns her head to say the words confidently.
Rehabilitation Doctor: Well, judging by the scans, it appears you're recovering well, Ms. Noire.
The doctor uses a magnifying glass to examine the X-rays, pointing at a set of bones that Noire cannot identify.
Rehabilitation Doctor: Based on your condition, with some surgical intervention and rehabilitation, we believe it's possible for you to regain the use of your legs.
Rehabilitation Doctor: However, I see that you've been refusing rehabilitation so far. Is there something specific you are worried about?
Noire: No.
Noire smiles.
Rehabilitation Doctor: Then may I ask why you're refusing treatment?
Noire: Because I needed this.
Ignoring the doctor's confused look, Noire places her hand over her lifeless legs, gently smoothing out the wrinkles in her skirt.
Noire: These useless legs and this chair. They remind me that I never want to return to the way I was before.
Handel's Harp Concerto in B-flat Major weaves through the air from a distant radio, with only the harp's rich, soothing tones drawing the ear.
Noire: That's it.
Noire shuts her eyes, taking in a deep, steady breath.
Noire: Aqua.
Aqua 1985
On the set of In the Spring Bloom.
Noire: Cut!
As Noire's voice rings out, the leading couple in the spotlight pull away from their tight embrace with professional distance, the set around them coming to life with movement and chatter.
Water is handed out, and makeup is retouched. Crew members flit past the camera's frame, attending to their duties.
In the corner tent, Noire and her assistant director stand by the monitor, speaking in low tones. A quick nod from Noire brings the script supervisor, megaphone in hand, toward the center of the set.
Alisa: That's a wrap, everyone!
Crowd: Yeah!!!
A wave of energy follows the announcement, but for a few present, the rush of completion is replaced with the impending task of finishing their work.
At the far end of the set, two crew members rush forward, holding bright bouquets. They give them to the lead actors, then beg to take a photo to mark the end of filming.
The props team is bringing a bamboo ladder out to clear away the decorations. One by one, they begin to check and count the inventory, making sure nothing is left behind.
Alisa heads back to the director's tent.
Alisa: Tonight, Ms. Noire has organized up a wrap party at Ching Wo Lau! It's been a tough shoot, so we're all expected to eat, drink, and let loose. Let's have a great time!
Crowd: Thank you, Ms. Noire!
The news of the wrap party in the evening lifts spirits all around.
As the crew moves about, tidying up the set with relaxed efficiency, Noire turns to Lin, observing her quietly.
Noire: So, what do you think?
Lin: It's a great New Year comedy, one that oozes your unique style, but with a lot of commercial appeal.
Noire: No, not the movie. I want to know about the atmosphere on the set. What's your take?
The crew is busy tearing down the set as the studio begins to take on its original appearance once more.
Noire: This was the set for Shadow Spy, once upon a time.
Lin: It's a far cry from those days. The set is so full of life now.
Lin: Your transformation has had an impact on everyone.
Noire lowers her head and smooths out the creases in her skirt.
Noire: Really? Not bad ... not bad at all.
With a tender touch, Noire's fingers glide over the fabric of her skirt. It's hard to tell just what she's most pleased by.
Lin: Right ...
Lin: Right ...
Before long, Noire emerges from the examination room, a smile on her face as she shares the details of what occurred inside.
Once more, that same inscrutable feeling envelops Lin.
Lin: So, you're going to give up your legs ... as some kind of reminder?
Noire: It's more than that. They're a balance, or an anchor, if you will. A reminder not to lose myself in my own world again—not to neglect the people around me.
Noire's fingers run over the fabric of her skirt, and Lin, now sure of it, realizes her earlier suspicion was right.
Noire: They remind me how much I rely on all of you and the price I paid when I lost her.
All along, Noire has been silently thanking her legs.
Noire: That's why I refused treatment.
And I intend to stay like this forever.
Noire: I've told you before that I wouldn't let them interfere with my work. They haven't.
Lin: ...
Noire: But you, Lin. You followed me this whole way. You even sold your clothes. Why didn't you ever consider leaving?
Lin: You figured that out, did you?
Noire: That outfit wasn't nearly old enough for you to just get rid of it for no reason.
She recalls that day and her old purple suit. The day she told her a lie.
Lin: It's ...
Lin: It's just that I wanted to see what you could do. Whether you could really make it work.
Noire: So, did you find out the answer?
Lin: ...
She gently pats Lin, then pushes the wheelchair toward the hospital exit by herself.
The golden rays glinting off the wheel are almost blinding.
The high heels and clacking wooden puppet steps fade away beyond an automatic door.
Noire: I'm going to need you to take care of these doctors again. They've decided I need more psychological counseling.
Lin: Oh, okay.
There is some quiet satisfaction she takes in how her once tyrannical boss has become so dependent on her.
