"Hmm. Uh… Oh. There you are!" Giulia says as she and Alexis see the boys at the bottom of the tree.
"Morning boys." Alexis says.
"All right ragazzi. You want that entry fee you got to earn it. Giulietta, Alexis…" Massimo says.
"I'm on it." Giulia says confidently.
"You make the deliveries." Massimo says.
"Done and done." Alexis says as she leaves with Giulia.
*Timeskip*
"Ha-ha! New personal best!" Giulia shouts as she and Alexis stop.
"Whoa." Alexis says as she and Giulia see the boys have brought in a large amount of fish with Massimo.
"Your friends do know fish." Massimo says as Alexis and Giulia run over.
"Benissimo! Ooh let's go sign up." Giulia says after Massimo gives her the money before the group runs off and over to a crowd of people.
"Fellow Portorossans! It is I Giorgio Giorgioni! Slayer of sea monsters and beloved purveyor of pasta!" A woman shouts.
"Slayer of sea monsters?" Luca asks.
"Don't worry about her. That's Signora Marsigliese. She works for the sponsor for the race." Alexis says.
"This is gonna take forever." Giulia says annoyedly.
"In that case since I'm not signing up I'm gonna go wait by the fountain." Alexis says as she walks off. As Alexis is waiting by the fountain she soon notices the others getting harassed by Ercole and his group before going over.
"Leave us alone Ercole. Can't you find something better to do than bully others?" Alexis asks angrily as Ercole looks at Alexis.
"Oh look. It's the nobody charity case. You talk big but a nobody like you is all bark no bite. It's a wonder Giulia and her family took pity on someone like you." Ercole says as Alexis gives an angry look.
"What does he mean?" Luca asks as he looks at Alexis curiously.
"She's a-" Ercole then gets cut off by Giulia.
"Hey! Leave my sister out of this! She doesn't even enter the races anyway so she isn't your concern!" Giulia says angrily.
"You know if you're gonna try to talk big why not come up with something new." Ercole says unimpressed.
"Here's a new one. You look like a uh… Uh…" Giulia says.
"A catfish." Luca says.
"A catfish!" Giulia shouts.
"Huh?" The crowd asks confusedly.
"Uh they're bottom-feeders and they also have two sad little whiskers." Luca says as the crowd laughs.
"Shut up! Listen piccoletto I eat kids like you for breakfast. I dunk them in my cioccolata and… finiti! So here. Sign up. Mm? I'll make it my mission to destroy you. It's gonna be some race huh? Sorry no autographs today." Ercole says as he gives Giulia back the money before leaving.
"Ha-ha! Luca! Bravo we did it!" Giulia shouts happily before she signs up with Alberto and Luca.
*Timeskip*
"Okay ragazzi. We have one week to train." Giulia says as the group is in the house.
"I got this. Wait what?" Alberto asks as Alexis places several plates of pasta on the table.
"Every year they change the pasta. You have to be ready for anything. You must also use a forchetta." Alexis says.
"Ugh! Rules are for rule people." Alberto says in annoyance as he continues to try and eat with the fork.
*Timeskip*
"Holy carp. No. I can't." Luca says as he is on a bike at the top of the hill.
"Luca it's okay. Just remember to use your weight and brakes to help with steering. You'll be fine." Alexis says.
"Forza. Luca don't let him get in your head. You can do this." Alberto says.
"Okay. Silenzio Bruno. Here we go." Luca says before he reluctantly goes down the hill only to crash.
*Timeskip*
"Looking good Giulia." Alexis says as she watches Giulia swim in the water from on the boat with Luca and Alberto.
"Sure you won't try and get in? I can always-" Giulia then gets cut off by Alexis.
"No thanks. Quite.. quite happy where I am." Alexis says nervously as she looks at the water.
"You don't like the sea?" Luca asks curiously.
"It's not that.. it's complicated Luca. That's all." Alexis says.
"Oh no! It's Ercole! Go, go!" Giulia shouts as the group sees Ercole and his group speeding toward them in a boat.
"Luca! Faster, faster!" Alberto shouts as he tries steering.
"Why aren't we moving?" Luca asks as Alexis holds onto the boat and closes her eyes before the boat barely misses the group.
"Hey! What is your problem!? Are you crazy!?" Alexis shouts angrily as she looks at Ercole as Giulia swims over to him before yelling at him.
"Luca? Alberto? Are you okay?" Giulia asks as she gets into the boat before she and Alexis see Alberto in a towel.
"Um…" Luca says nervously.
"We're good! Good, good, good." Alberto says nervously.
"That was close." Alexis says.
"Well I think that's enough training for today." Giulia says.
"Yeah. Agreed." Luca says.
"Yup." Alberto says as the group heads back.
*Timeskip*
"Good effort team. You've earned your pasta tonight." Giulia says as the group reaches the docks.
"Can I please eat with my hands?" Alberto asks.
"Eh. Why not? Not part of the competition." Alexis says.
"Yes!" Alberto says as the group heads home.