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.
Earth & Sky: A Cloud x Aeris Love Story 
Ah it was great to see some of your thoughts about this!
I played this game blind (didn’t watch trailers, not on social media, etc) and I’ll say I totally got disheartened during my playthrough. Honestly thought they decided to take a side and I’d just settle for my little treat of their date when it happened.
I was blown away by the date and Aerith singing No Promises to Keep… absolutely beautiful.
Personally, I never hoped for a kiss on their Gold Saucer Date, it just didn’t feel right. And I’m glad to say I got what I wanted and it was better than expected! Cloud’s shy way of taking her hand and interlocking their fingers, Aerith’s expression at his actions, and holding onto to each other. It just felt so tender, precious and more intimate than anything I could imagine. Ugh, my heart! And as you said, this is more narratively appropriate and feels more in character to me.
And those last chapters… I just exploded with happiness. Cloud being brought out of his trance by remembering their meeting, the dream date, and just everything else… battling together, once again hands clasped at the end of the battle! And despite the confusing/bittersweet/sad/hopeful event at the Forgotten City, Cloud looked so happy with Aerith T_T my heart couldn’t take his smiles.
And then No Promises to Keep being the theme song of the game. I honestly couldn’t believe we got all that!
I 100% believe in the chance that Cloud will come take her hand and never let her go!
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Technically Aerith is Rosa for Barret’s date too. So the end credit scene maybe suggests we are in a Clerret universe?
I am just kidding lol. Great blog
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I did feel like for a little while there they were pushing Cloud and Tifa until I realized that they put most of her back story in this second installment. She may not have much in the third game.
In the end there it was clear but obviously not for some. I’m not going to lie I was a bit worried 🙁.
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It’s interesting that people still want to deny any feelings exist between Cloud and Aerith especially since the first two parts of the Remake trilogy launched. The original was a little more subtle in some areas as it assumed the player was able to comprehend what was being conveyed in the game without having to outright tell you what was going on regarding the character dynamics and certain nuances within the story. Remake and Rebirth literally beat you over the head with it and yet some still deny it. Both theme songs are written for Cloud and Aerith and sung by both characters to each other. Apparently some still think “Hollow” is about Zack even though it only plays in Sector 5. And who lives in Sector 5? The trailers only show Cloud and Aerith’s romantic moments as well as during the end credits. Aerith’s date in Rebirth and Cloud’s resolution scene in Remake, which you can only see if you have a higher affinity with Aerith in Remake, to be precise. Many still think it’s Aerith’s resolution scene but I don’t know why she would resolve to rescure herself.
The story loses a lot of context if you don’t see anything romantic about Cloud and Aerith’s relationship. The Loveless story being a good example since it literally summarizes the story of Aerith and Cloud’s relationship showing clearly that they are star-crossed lovers. Tifa or Yuffie, while fun to see their dates, don’t really make sense with them in the Rosa role. Also Cait Sith’s predictions don’t make sense either as they forshadow the events to come between Cloud, Aerith and Sephiroth. The death scene also loses its impact since Sephiroth only killed Aerith because it would destroy Cloud. He could have killed Aerith as soon as she arrived if it was really about stopping Holy from being cast. Rebirth really let’s the player know this with Sephiroth encouraging Aerith to pray. If this wasn’t the case he would have killed Tifa in front of Cloud instead. But he doesn’t. If you recall how Cloud reacted when he found Tifa during the Nibelheim scene, Cloud just set her aside and ran after Sephiroth and she’s still semi-conscious. He didn’t do that with Aerith who was showing no signs of life and Sephiroth is standing just feet from him delivering his monologue. Aerith is also dead so there’s really no immediate need to tend to the body. Instead he stays with her cradling her lifeless body utterly distraught and just full of despair. Suddenly nothing else matters anymore. I’ve always wondered why Tifa wasn’t upset that Cloud never tried to get her any medical attention unlike Zangan who I think is really the one who fulfilled Tifa and Cloud’s promise. Cloud didn’t really do anything to save her.
Anyway, really great read. I’m hoping that in Part 3 we’ll get to see the last part of Loveless finally play out with Cloud reuniting with Aerith. I truly believe you can’t really enjoy the game to it’s fullest if you don’t understand Cloud and Aerith’s dynamics. Don’t get me wrong they all play a big role but FF7 is really Cloud and Aerith’s story despite the creators not wanting to outright say it (even though originally most, if not all, the promo stuff was just them and Sephiroth including the original art and all). But if you really pay attention and know what is going on below the surface, it’s rather blatant that it is. I’m glad I found this website. I’m looking forward to more blogs.
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Well said! My husband and I both ship Cloud and Aerith, and were very happy how they were handled in this game. Chef’s kiss romance!
Even though the writer’s don’t say it blatantly, it is obvious that Cloud and Aerith are the canonical pairing. If you romance Tifa, then it is a love triangle. However, if you romance Aerith, it is very clear Cloud loves Aerith and has little to no romantic feelings for Tifa.
He leans back when Tifa leans in for the near kiss. Despites what fans say of Tifa and Cloud, their relationship is a mess. Cloud acts out of character with her, and slips into his Zach persona. Their optional date was awful. He clearly was jealous of Aerith still having feelings for Zach, and then slipped into his Zach persona (hence him suddenly acting out of character. He even states in the beach quest date with Aerith that he is not a romantic). He states his ideal date would be to go for a walk. And in the “dream date” with Aerith, they are simply walking around and having a good time.
Despite what Tifa thinks, she doesn’t really love him. She is in love with an idealized version of Cloud that is a “hero.” She is co-dependent on him (understandably though due to her past trauma), and didn’t even pick up on the fact that he hated being alone as a kid. Cloud’s true self is shy, awkward, and struggles with a lot of doubt and guilt. Aerith is the only one to notice this, and encourages him to be his true self. Honestly, Zach and Tifa would make a lot of sense together and would be a very cute couple! He is the hero she desires and they would balance each other well.
I am excited to see more of these two in the next game! With the convergence of the timelines (where Aerith is alive in at least one of them), and with the theme of defying fate/destiny, AND how No Promises to Keep ends with the line, “I know someday you will come and find me,” they will finally give us a happy ending for these two 🥰. Maybe even an optional kiss!
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I strongly agree. In the book “On the way to a smile”, Tifa and Cloud are not happily together after saving the world. Cloud never calls Tifa, he is always away. I always thought that Tifa was more a family to him, than a lover. She clings to him because she is lost. They have memories together and are the only ones who remember Nibelheim and their families. These memories, Aerith is jealous of them, but in the church Cloud says they will make memories of their own. He says that in “a world that has accepted his fate” according to Sephiroth, so it’s like a challenge to destiny, again. Cloud needs Tifa to find and mend his past, and Aerith to imagine his future and fight for it.
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