When did Cloud ever steal any of Aeriths undergarments. You just dont go into anybodies room and randomly steal their underwear. Either that or Cloud is a sick perv.
I think it's a little of both actually. Also just to get to the point of that other essay that was posted.

The issue I take with what she's saying is that, "On this page it says the High Affection scene is optional, therefore Cloti is optional" and yes when TLS posted the article, they did not mention this quote on another page:

"Deviation
2 versions of the conversation before the final battle
Prior to the final battle, the contents of the conversation between Cloud and Tifa can change depending on the degree of Tifa's affection. If the degree of affection is high, the contents of the two's conversation will involve deep subject matter and strong feelings for each other. As well, the sight of the two seen by their companions the next morning will lead to an embarassing scene for Tifa, and she blushes greatly."
(U20 Scenario, margin of pg. 232)

But there are a few problems here. Her article says that the low affection scene is "apathetic and ends short" according to a quote by Nojima. I agree with this. So basically, whatever "feelings" were shared, are ONLY shared in the high affection version. This particular quote is MORE confirmation that no feelings are shared in the low affection version.

Now look at these:

---------------------------
"Declares that the team should dissolve in the final hours before the final battle, and communicates his feelings together with Tifa, who remains behind at the airship with him." (FFVIIUO, pg. 15)

"When Cloud proposes that the group separates temporarily, she remains behind at the airship and communicates her feelings together with Cloud. " (FFVIIUO, pg. 27)

"When their companions disperse to the places where people important to them await, Cloud and Tifa are the only two to remain behind. They reveal their mutual feelings in their final hours, and......." (FFVIIUO, pg. 198)

"She communicates her feelings together with Cloud in the final stages of the story, and in AC and DC they live together." (CCU, pg. 33)

"Cloud and Tifa, who remain, reveal their feelings for each other and confirm them to match." (FFVII 10th AU, pg. 118; pg. 120 in the Revised Edition)

"And when Cloud and Tifa remain behind alone, in their final hours, they disclose that their feelings for each other match."
(U20 Scenario, pg. 232; main body of story summary)
-----------------------------

So all of these quotes do NOT say "If this" or "IF THAT" they just say, "This is what happened, period." In other words, Square is telling us that no matter what scene the player may have gotten, in the true canon outcome of that scene feelings were shared. Think of how Vincent and Yuffie is optional, but we know for a fact that they joined the team because they are shown in ACC and DoC and what not. The highwind scene ALSO has a canon outcome. Square has said this numerous times. Since we know feelings are NOT shared in the low affection version, the scene where feelings are shared must be canon. So now we have two things for sure.

1. The canon outcome of that scene has Cloud and Tifa sharing feelings.
2. They are feeling of romantic love.

You should be able to connect the dots from there. That's all.