Murasakibara learned long ago that his size had pros and cons.
It wasn't something he could change, nor was it something he wanted to. Unintentionally it would cause a drift between him and his peers, which he didn't find himself minding growing up. Not only was he naturally larger than others, but he was naturally stronger than others. It would cause difficulty as what he considered light, or little strength would be painful or too rough for others. Multiple times the kids in class had accused him of trying to harm them or destroy things,
and eventually he decided they were too much work.
It wasn't like he needed them.
People feared him, the tall giant who barely speaks. Not many wished to reach out to him, and fewer tried. Murasakibara considered it to his favor, kids his age group were too much of a hassle.
He preferred his family. He was the baby of the family, and none of them ever complained about him being too forceful. They were all big as well and understood his struggle, but they ingrained one core lesson.
Never lose control of your strength when emotional.
Losing control of their strength meant they could do or ruin something that couldn't be replaced. Murasakibara had already seen the other kids scream at him.
Always so loud.
Always desperate for their feelings to be seen.
Always blaming him, accusing him, horrified at him and his strength.
It was easier to just eat his snacks.
Life was solitary outside his family for Murasakibara Atushi, but it seemed better that way.
Still strength was power, and power was respect.
Other kids might have been bullied for being a social pariah, but who would try to bully him.
True, there was one attempt.
He had just gotten a bag of chips out the vending machine. It would be better if he had a sweet, but beggars can't be choosers.
The sound of commotion reached his ears.
It was a group of guys from an upper class. They were laughing loudly, uncaring as they wrestled throughout the hallways and one stumbled into him before bouncing back. Murasakibara locked his gaze on him.
His uniform had something to be desired as his jacket ripped at the sleeve, with his shirt wrinkled. His tie unsecured as it was barely hanging around his neck.
Murasakibara didn't particularly care though, he didn't judge.
"Watch out dumbass" the delinquent said, before smashing his shoulders into the giant in an attempt of intimidation, knocking his snack out his hands.
Atushi's widened as they watched the bag hit the floor, annoyance bordering on anger raced through him.
His hand reached out and palmed the boy's head in an instant. Despite his offender being older, he had 12 centimeters on the guy. He tilted the culprits head up and stared him down, fear began to spread across his victim's face.
"Don't do that, or I'll crush you", he said, his words slow but measured.
Murasakibara watched the miscreant nod, submission clear in his gesture and let go. Even though The purple haired man hadn't pushed him, he still staggered away. In his rush he tripped on air into his friend, who was still staring at Murasakibara in surprise and slight terror.
It was that day Murasakibara noted how simple it was to make people listen to him.
He picked up his snack, and walked away in his usual manner, oblivious to the basketball coach gazing at him like a pot of gold.
He had been coerced to play at his elementary school by a coach who bargained (blackmailed) him into playing by ignoring the previous accident that occurred.
All he had needed to know was the basics, and it wasn't like he needed to be that proficient in elementary school.
Still, he was highly cautious.
Murasakibara was in far more physical contact than he had ever been in his school career with his age group. Defense was his standard, the chance of hurting someone was far lower lower when they're the aggressor.
That didn't mean he wasn't slightly curious on what it would be like to be the attacker. The slow going progress of most of his offense irked him. Many times he was ready to storm the other team by himself, simply because of how little the amount, and how long, it would take for a point to be scored.
He wondered if he could bring snacks onto the court.
Despite being on the same team, there still layed a wall between Murasakibara and his teammates. Neither would attempt to destroy it.
Murasakibara's isolation would end at Teiko.