Champion
Chapter 31: Ten Years Later
by Lu, MarieThe chapter “Ten Years Later” follows June Iparis on her 27th birthday as she reflects on the past decade of her life. She recounts celebrations from previous years, including quiet dinners with friends, international trips, and milestones like becoming the youngest lead commander in Republic history. Her relationship with Elector Anden evolved from a romantic partnership to a mutual separation, though she remains fiercely protective of him. Despite the joys and sorrows of adulthood, June acknowledges that nothing compares to the tragedies of her teenage years, particularly the loss of her brother Metias and her complicated bond with Day.
June spends her birthday overseeing Anden’s security during diplomatic talks with Colonies delegates, proud of his progress in fostering unity between former enemies. Later, she visits Metias’s memorial, where she emotionally confronts the fact that she has now reached the age he was when he died. She shares updates about her life with his ghost, finding solace in the imagined comfort of his presence. The visit underscores her enduring grief and the weight of outliving her brother, a milestone that leaves her feeling both vulnerable and reflective.
After leaving the memorial, June reconnects with her daily life, anticipating dinner with friends Tess and Pascao. She muses on how Tess’s updates about Day—once frequent—have dwindled over the years, though she still cherishes the memories. Her thoughts drift to Day, wondering about his happiness and whereabouts, revealing her unresolved feelings. The chapter captures June’s quiet resilience, balancing duty with personal longing, as she navigates the complexities of adulthood and loss.
The chapter takes a surprising turn when June receives a cryptic message from Tess urging her to check the news. A small headline reveals that Day’s brother, Eden, is in Los Angeles for a job interview, implying Day’s return to the city. June’s composure wavers as she processes the news, her heart racing at the possibility of seeing Day again. The chapter ends on a note of anticipation, leaving June—and the reader—eager to discover what this reunion might bring.
FAQs
1. How does June’s reflection on her past birthdays reveal her emotional journey and current state of mind?
Answer:
June’s birthday reflections serve as an emotional timeline, showcasing her growth from carefree youth to a more somber adulthood. Her eighteenth to twenty-sixth birthdays highlight key milestones—romantic moments with Anden, career achievements, and personal losses like Ollie’s death and her breakup. However, her twenty-seventh birthday carries unique weight because she reaches the age her brother Metias was when he died, marking a painful transition where she will outlive him. This realization triggers deeper grief, contrasting with her previous birthdays where sadness was “tolerable.” The chapter emphasizes how June measures time through personal relationships and losses, revealing her lingering trauma despite outward success.2. Analyze the significance of June’s visit to Metias’s memorial. How does this ritual reflect her coping mechanisms and unresolved grief?
Answer:
June’s visit to Metias’s memorial is a ritual of connection and catharsis. She sits cross-legged before his tombstone marker, verbally updating him on her life as if he can hear her—a behavior suggesting she still seeks his guidance and approval. Her whispered confession, “We’re the same age now,” underscores her anguish at surpassing him, a milestone that forces her to confront mortality and the permanence of loss. The imagined “ghostly hand” on her shoulder illustrates her reliance on spiritual solace to process grief. This ritual reveals June’s unresolved guilt and love for Metias, as well as her need to preserve his memory by symbolically including him in her achievements, such as her pride in Anden’s diplomatic progress.3. How does the chapter use the news about Eden Bataar to create narrative tension and foreshadowing?
Answer:
The Eden Bataar headline disrupts June’s melancholic introspection, injecting sudden urgency into the narrative. Tess’s cryptic message—”Check the news”—and June’s delayed realization about Eden’s presence in Los Angeles serve as a narrative hook, implying Day’s return. June’s physical reaction (a “ripple” breaking her stillness) and her instinctive scan of the streets reveal her suppressed longing for Day, even after years apart. The brief mention of Eden’s job interview is strategically placed to foreshadow a potential reunion, leaving readers questioning: Will June seek Day out? How has he changed? This tease amplifies emotional stakes, contrasting June’s disciplined professionalism with her reawakened adolescent hope.4. Compare June’s relationships with Tess and Pascao to her past connections with Day and Anden. What do these dynamics reveal about her growth?
Answer:
June’s bonds with Tess and Pascao represent mature, platonic support systems, contrasting with the romantic intensity of her past with Anden and Day. With Tess, she shares updates about Day indirectly, acknowledging their faded connection without bitterness. Pascao provides camaraderie, likely distracting her with his “adventures” training cadets. These relationships highlight June’s emotional resilience—she accepts change (e.g., Tess’s dwindling contact with Day) while valuing consistency. In contrast, her breakup with Anden was mutual, recognizing incompatible love, and her lingering thoughts of Day show unresolved feelings. The chapter positions Tess and Pascao as stabilizing forces, reflecting June’s ability to nurture lasting, low-stakes friendships despite romantic losses.5. Evaluate how the chapter’s setting—Batalla sector at dusk—mirrors June’s internal conflict.
Answer:
The twilight setting parallels June’s transitional emotional state. The “gathering darkness” and flickering streetlights reflect her grief over Metias, while the “kaleidoscope of colors” from JumboTrons symbolizes fragmented hope, particularly when Eden’s news interrupts her sadness. The quiet, sparsely populated streets mirror her isolation, yet the glowing screens and Tess’s message hint at external connections pulling her forward. Batalla Hall, where she oversees Anden’s security, contrasts with the memorial building’s solitude, emphasizing her dual roles: the disciplined Commander and the vulnerable sister. This duality peaks as she walks beneath the screens—literally and figuratively between light and shadow—capturing her balance between duty and personal yearning.
Quotes
1. “Far worse things have happened, and nothing tragic during these later years could compare with the events from my teenage years.”
This quote highlights the protagonist’s reflection on how past traumas overshadow present hardships, setting the tone for her emotional journey in this chapter. It underscores the lasting impact of her youth experiences.
2. “For the first time in my life, I am no longer his little sister. Next year I will step across the line and he will still be in the same place. From now on, I will be older than he ever was.”
A poignant moment where the protagonist confronts the bittersweet reality of outliving her brother Metias. This passage captures the theme of grief and the passage of time.
3. “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss her stories about Day. But still, I find myself looking forward to some dinner chatter with her and Pascao.”
This reveals the protagonist’s unresolved feelings for Day while showing her growth in embracing present relationships. It bridges her past and present emotional states.
4. “I really, sincerely, deeply hope that he is.”
A simple yet powerful expression of the protagonist’s enduring care for Day despite their separation. This understated line conveys profound emotional depth.
5. “Eden is here to interview for a potential job. He and Day are in town.”
This climactic revelation reignites the protagonist’s connection to Day, creating narrative tension and hinting at future developments. The sparse phrasing amplifies its impact.