CHAPTER 6: NOODLES
The next day, Molayne got up as usual, put on his usual skimpy running attire, and went over to Sun's house.
Sun was in his backyard, playing with Dennis, his pet Slakoth.
"At least you're nice and slow," Sun told Dennis, "so I don't have to worry about you running off."
Molayne walked up to Sun.
"Hi, Sun!" he said. "Hi, Dennis!"
Sun turned around.
"I'm ready for you to help me," said Sun.
"Your Slakoth is so cute," said Molayne. Dennis crawled over to Molayne and licked his shin. "and he's very friendly, too!"
"I've got my surfboard," said Sun. "I'm ready to help you with swimming."
"Thanks, Sun," said Molayne.
Sun and Molayne went to the beach on Route 14. Sun took off his shirt and shorts, revealing his speedo. Molayne got in the water, while Sun followed on his surfboard.
"It's only a few days until the triathlon," said Molayne.
"I know," said Sun, "and you're doing great! By the way, how's Olivia doing?"
"She's doing good," said Molayne. "I haven't had much time to talk to her since she's been busy. She can't come to watch the triathlon in person, so she's going to watch it on TV. Did you know she has a flat-screen TV at her jewelry store?"
"Yes, I do," said Sun.
"Oh...I forgot to tell you," said Molayne, "my grandparents are coming over for lunch. I've invited you, Moon, and Hau. Want to come with me?"
Sun laughed.
"You're not going to be dressed like that in front of them, are you?" he said.
"Nah," said Molayne. "I'll cover up."
When lunch came, Sun, Moon, and Hau went with Molayne to his house. Molayne had left the door open so his grandparents could come in. When Molayne came in, his grandparents, Arthur and Lydia Ziegler, greeted him. Molayne gave them a hug.
"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Ziegler," said Sun.
"Good to see you again, Sun," said Arthur. He spoke in a Midwestern accent. "Who's the girl next to you?"
"This is my friend Moon," said Sun.
"Hello there, Moon," said Arthur. He shook Moon's hand really hard.
"Pretty strong for an old guy," said Moon.
Everyone laughed.
"Well, Molayne," said Arthur, "your grandma here's made a whole pot of schnupfnudeln."
"They're rye noodles," said Molayne. He turned to Sun, Moon, and Hau. "You'll like them. Grandpa said his mother would make them every Friday when he was a kid. And now, let me go get changed."
"Come with me into the kitchen," said Lydia.
Lydia led Sun, Moon, and Hau into the kitchen. She brought over some glasses and poured banana juice into them. In about a minute, Molayne arrived wearing a Woolly Crab tank top and a pair of matching shorts.
"This looks like pasta," said Hau. "You sure this is German?"
"Yes, I'm sure it is," said Molayne. "It wouldn't have a German name if it weren't."
Sun tasted the noodles.
"Mmm..." said Sun. "This is good!"
"And there's plenty more where that came from," said Lydia.
"These guys have been helping me this past week," said Molayne. "The three of them have ensured that I'm in tip-top shape. You going to be watching me?"
"We wouldn't miss it for the world," said Arthur.
"Not to mention there's going to be an after-party," said Lydia. "We're planning a party for Molayne after he finishes the triathlon."
Molayne was munching on his noodles and smiling.
"Molayne's a happy kid," said Arthur. "He always enjoys going to parties."
"Unfortunately, we can't physically be at the triathlon," said Lydia, "so we're going to watch it on TV while we plan the party. There's going to be a lot of stuff to eat at the party."
"There will be pizza for everyone," said Arthur.
"Mmm...pizza..." said Sun.
"So...you're Sophocles' grandfather too?" Hau asked Arthur.
"His great-grandfather, actually," said Arthur.
Hau's jaw dropped.
"Oh..." said Hau. "I forgot. Sophocles is once removed from you, Molayne."
Molayne nodded head and smiled.
"After lunch, I'm going to help Grandma and Grandpa clean up," said Molayne. "You three are free to go."
"You sure, Molayne?" asked Sun.
"I think I can handle it," said Molayne. "We'll resume training tomorrow. Just note that tomorrow's the last day of training. After that, I'll do final preparations myself."
"Okay," said Moon.
After lunch, Sun, Moon, and Hau left Molayne's house.
"I don't have much confidence in Molayne," said Moon.
Sun and Hau stared at moon.
"Why not?" asked Hau.
"This triathlon is going to eat Molayne alive," said Moon. "He'll probably collapse before he even gets to the finish line."
"He'll be okay," said Sun.
"Well," said Moon, "Big Mo told me that he's all covered for swimming and running, so I'm going to help him cycle. We're going to be doing Poni Island."
Sun gasped.
"I think Poni Island might be a little too rough," said Sun. "Only the pros train there."
"That's where Professor Kukui trains," said Moon.
"Professor Kukui has more experience in triathlons than Molayne does," said Sun.
"Just have faith in me...okay?" said Moon.
Sun sighed.
"Okay," said Sun, "I trust you. But be careful. You don't want to get Molayne injured."