The thing at the end wasn't about romance, it was 'Hey, let's go meet a fallen friend, Tifa'

In any case, which 'Aerith' one do you refer to? Maiden, or CoLW?

Because Maiden doesn't count AND is C/T in the end, and COLW is only her perspective.
All the flirty bits you talk about... aren't. Her mom's house he sneaks out of to go meet Tifa. The cross dressing, was to save Tifa. Even the Gold Saucer shows no real interest from Cloud. There may or may not be chemistry, but there's certainly no intent.