Note: I will refer to 2002 Civic which uses same rear brake setup as GD3 Fit
Due to the difficult approach to the upper return spring the manual suggests an "anal feeding" approach by removal of the lower return spring. This spring has very soft ends, so many people still fighting with upper return spring; this messes up the wheel cylinder seals and causes fluid leaks.









The spring is finally removed but the cylinder is messed up!

As an alternative I would try this approach:




1) remove leading shoe retaining clip (green box);
2) insert one tip of external snap ring pliers into the lower return spring hole
3) position other tip against the leading shoe anchor (red arrows) and squeeze the pliers
4) as soon as leading shoe clears the anchor pull it 1/8" towards you and slowly release tension on the lower return spring (blue arrow); the shoe must end up outside of the anchor (overlapping it)
5) remove trailing shoe retaining clip and repeat steps 2 to 4; then bring the lower return spring over the tong and separate it from the shoes (green arrow)
After that the service manual steps can be followed

 

Thanks for the heads-up + pics!

I think I saw a movie once about an "anal feeding" approach. :P