I finally finished Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, and there’s a lot to say about it (luckily, we have the next 3-4 years to process it!) I’m still reeling from the experience, and this won’t be a succinct essay that exhaustively covers the plot, character relationships nor my feelings about them all. Suffice to say, there were a lot of ups, and a few downs, but you’re probably reading this blog for one thing only: to find out if I thought Rebirth was “Clerith” or not.
The answer is two-fold: one, it’s player choice, and two.. YES.
This post will have spoilers. Proceed with caution!
Judging by some FAQ submission I received from over the past few weeks (I’ll do my best to get to them, I promise!), some of you were dissuaded by Tifa’s role and relationship with Cloud in the game. It’s true that earlier on – especially around the middle of the game – Tifa takes a lead role in the narrative, and Aeris is not given much to do outside of her own side quests. Part of Tifa’s narrative is, inherently, her feelings for Cloud – and yes, Cloud’s romantic tension with her. This culminates in two outstanding moments: a scene where Cloud and Tifa seem to nearly kiss (judging by Yuffie and Cait Sith’s egging on) and an optional scene where they do kiss.
Here’s the thing: Tifa is one of Cloud’s two love interests. Should your Cloud treat her nicely, spend time with her on her side quests, and choose to flirt with her, then yes, you may unlock her Gold Saucer date where Cloud expresses romantic interest in her, and an intimate moment occurs. For fans that love Cloti, let them enjoy it!
But here’s the other thing: Cloud’s other love interest is Aerith. If you unlock her Gold Saucer date – usually considered the “canon” option, given it was the default and most likely to occur in the original game and otherwise makes the most sense in the narrative – Cloud will express romantic interest in her. No, he doesn’t kiss her. But him mustering the courage to take her hand, wrap her fingers in his own, and squeeze it is a more narratively appropriate act of love, and here’s why:
Aerith’s love ballad to Cloud is the theme song of the game. No matter which date you unlock, Aerith will write a song about her feelings for Cloud, and perform it. She will sing “Take my hand and never let me go” while Cloud watches, clutching a petal of her flower in his hand. Cloud taking Aerith’s hand is his acceptance of her confession – and has deeper meaning to the finale of the story.
Because here’s the thing: while Tifa gets her moments mid-game, the final sections of the game are heavily Clerith – and they aren’t optional. Cloud’s feelings for Aerith are central to the entirety of Chapter 14. When Aerith takes him on a “dream date” through a pre-apocalypse Sector 5, Cloud reciprocates, getting her a present, eating candy with her, and posing as a couple for a photo. Cloud finds “their place” – the church where they met – and tells her there will be another date “next time.” He returns her hug, and then cleaves a reality where she doesn’t die by Sephiroth’s blade.
More than that, Aerith’s feelings in the game are clear. Much to the chagrin of Aerith x Zack lovers, in this game, Aerith confirms that it’s Cloud she wants to be with now on their Gold Saucer date, and confesses again in chapter 14. Little Marlene tells Zack directly that Aerith has feelings for Cloud now (a revelation Zack takes like a champ.) Aerith’s song to Cloud, No Promises to Keep, plays in the background while they are on their date in Sector 5 – similar to how Cloud’s theme to Aerith, Hollow, played in Sector 5 in Remake. And of course, No Promises to Keep is the game’s end credits theme, it’s very theme song.
Let me underscore that again: Aerith’s love ballad to Cloud is the theme song of the game, and plays upon its ending.
This is not optional. Cloud has no dialogue choices and nothing is based on the affinity system that determined the Gold Saucer date. The ending is so powerfully Clerith-centric that their connection, transcending time and space, feels as devastating as it does triumphant.
It’s my personal feeling that because Clerith was so ingrained into the conclusion of the game, the developers felt the need to give Tifa something special in her (optional) Gold Saucer date. Without that, how would it even come close to feeling like an “even” love triangle? Even as it is, an optional Tifa kiss doesn’t feel comparable to Aerith having the finale, the theme song, and the conclusion. The developers offering some Tifa fanservice to Cloti fans is perfectly fine – let them be happy for it!
For me, if given the choice, I’d take what Clerith got in Rebirth over what Cloti got in a heartbeat.
And by the way – did you see which date is in the game’s end credits?
That’s right – the credits indeed featured Aerith as Rosa, and thus, Aerith as Cloud’s gondola date.
In conclusion, if you find yourself mid-game and feeling anxious that Clerith is being sidelined.. just keep playing.
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