Murmur of the Hearts (念念)

The sky of Taipei...

We've sent the little fish home.

Mommy, the little fish is going home.

Once upon a time, in the big, blue sea.

Somewhere far and deep...

Was a Mermaid Palace that no one knew about.

There lived a curious little mermaid.

Everyday, the little mermaid.

Would see a peculiar light blinking from far away.

Hmm...

What is that place?

There...

What is in "there"?

Is there something that I've never seen before?

How far away is "there"?

She'd been my most trusted person ever since I was little.

I believed in every word she's said.

Are you mad at her?

You feel like you've been lied to...

And she didn't love you?

If it weren't for you two kids.

I would've left this island long ago.

Anything wrong?

I miss you.

Don't let the coach see you.

I just wanted to see you...

Alright, alright. Come on in.

Can I stay here tonight?

It'll be bad if the coach sees you.

And you shouldn't stay out that late.

Come on, stop it!

I have to concentrate.

This match is really important for me.

If you lose, you won't be on the roster.

There you go again.

I've been training hard for this match.

Stop saying things like that.

I'm just saying, if...

Please, stop talking like this, okay?

Why do you always worry about stuff.

...that hasn't happened yet?

And why do you say such negative things?

Everyday, I've been...

Have some water before you leave?

No, thanks.

I'm leaving now

Call me when you get home.

Are you home already?

Hsiang...

What's with a man that has no shadow?

What?

Where are you?

Why don't you go home?

I just saw a really strange person.

Mei...

I told you, I really need to sleep.

And you do too.

Go home now, okay?

Mommy will take you to a really fun place.

There, you get to listen to a lot of stories...

You can draw

You can sing.

And dance too.

I want to go home...

...and be with my brother...

Your brother will come find us.

He will definitely come find us.

Almost there...

This is the island where I was born.

Green Island.

Many people remember it as "The Burning Island"...

...right?

In the old days when fishermen went fishing at night.

They would light up torches on the mountain top.

So that they could recognize the way home.

Torches were the guide to their safe return.

Such a beautiful sight at night.

It would look like the whole island was burning.

18 nautical miles across the ocean is Taiwan.

But most people there.

...often forget this beautiful island.

Or still think that it's just a place that locks up prisoners.

More and more tourists visit here these days.

They all come here for diving.

Because it has the clearest seawater in the area.

Look at this street.

It was once part of the ocean.

It's reclaimed land.

Here, Here! Come here!

We have to scoop the fish out.

What are you guys doing?

Scooping the fish out.

Right, to take it home.

No you can't.

- You can't take any of the fish home - Why not?

Fish belongs in the ocean.

They're pretty.

Alright... we can watch them.

Give me yours too.

Spooky.

- It's slippery - Water dropped on me! It's cold.

Let's hurry in!

Please wait for us, Nan!

We are falling behind.

Sis, don't run.

Mei! Look! What is this?

A mermaid! She is so pretty!

The mermaid is swimming.

That day...

...the mermaid finally snuck out of the palace.

She was so happy.

Because she was finally free.

She danced in the big blue ocean.

As if the ocean belonged to her.

I am never going back.

Never.

I want to see the world.

She wanted to swim out, to the big blue ocean.

She didn't want to go back.

She would never go back.

...len, there are customers here.

Come here and cook now!

All you do is chitchat.

Go help with the appetizers.

Go on! Quickly now!

Here you go.

Thank you.

...len, can you come volunteer this Saturday night?

- Sure! I will be there, Pastor - Len!

Stop chatting! Come get the noodles!

Hurry up.

Mei, mommy fooled us!

There are no mermaids in this world.

I've never seen one.

Yes, there is. Because mommy said so.

It is still small.

This is the head.

This is the hand.

It looks weird.

In about two months...

we'll know whether it's a boy or a girl.

I don't want to know

Excuse me, do you know where ophthalmology is?

OPH is not in this building.

Please go that way.

Go down one floor, turn left, and you'll see it.

Okay... Put your chin up gently.

We are okay with the schedule.

I promise!

Alright, alright. We'll talk later.

Sorry... Sorry about that.

What the hell are you doing?

Sloppy! Your technique is a mess.

Don't just dodge. Where do you think you can hide?

You won't die of a single punch.

Find a chance and return a combo.

1, 2, 3, 4... Okay?

Find your rhythm back!

- Gotta go now - Bye.

What happened to you today?

Have you been doing running lately?

I have!

Really?

Or were you too nervous?

My stomach wasn't feeling well...

I think you smoke too much.

You seem weak.

You're not eating any?

I don't feel like it.

You gotta eat something!

Not feeling well?

Would you like to go see a doctor?

What doctor?

Your eye is pretty swollen.

Do you want something to drink?

No, I don't.

Did something go wrong today during practice?

Nope.

What did the coach say to you?

You saw it. I was in pretty bad condition.

Don't say that! And it's just a practice match anyways.

You don't get it.

If I don't do well, how would I get on the roster?

If you are not qualified this year, there is always next year.

Are you allowed to drink beer?

Like I said, you don't get it.

The lifespan of an athlete is limited.

There are not that many "next years"!

You think it's like being a painter?

That you can always start all over again?

What has this to do with me being a painter?

I say these things because I care...

I don't need this kind of care and empathy.

I know what I'm doing.

All you need to do is to control your temper.

Don't talk about nonsense like seeing a shadowless man...

- Or that I won't be qualified this year - Nothing I say is right to your ears, right?

Maybe it's for the best that we don't see each other.

Hsiang...

I am sorry that I come to see you today.