The relationship between Cloud and Tifa

[Anastar]

Sorry, but it's starting to get ridiculous here. You're sounding like You want to convince me, that the Cleris theory is the truthness, and Clerises see things right, and everyone else not.

I have to say, that's a false pov. Even Nomura stated himself, that the love triangle's outcome is based on merely the viewer, and everyone interprets it as he/she likes, there's no official truthness.

So, if You want to see that Cloud go to the flower fields to meet with Aerith, feel free to think it, I don't really care, I disagree with it totally, but oh well.

I was merely responding to your post. You had questioned some of our theories as if you thought they were wrong, so I was telling you why we don't think we're wrong.

Cloud did not let go of Aerith yet, so he didn't tell.
He did not sure of himself and in his feelings. He only has starting romantical feelings for Tifa, and not evolved feelings.

You're allowed to theorize, but I really think you should back up your theories. Why should I believe that?

All of these happened when Cloud was depressed, so it has to do nothing with incompatibility.

In Reminiscence, Cloud was on the phone with Tifa in the flower fields, yet Cloud told Tifa that he was making a delivery in Midgar. So it looks to me like he's still keeping things from Tifa. Cloud's visiting a place that he associates with Aerith, which is very similar to Cloud visiting the Church without Tifa and going to the Forgotten City without telling Tifa. Tifa asked Cloud not to do those things because she was hurt by them, yet he continues doing it. Are you so sure he'll change now that he's not depressed?

So, I do not see where is the incompatibility, I just see that Cloud suffers and being depressed, thus he hurts people around him. Don't forget that when he actually realised this, then he left the family.

Where did it say that Cloud left the 7th Heaven when Cloud realized he was hurting them? Moving out hurt Tifa even more. Why would he do something that hurt her even more if he wanted to stop hurting them?

You messed up the quote... I never said that what You quoted "from me"...

Ahhh... sorry. I wondered why you said that!

Exactly. I never said anything what Cloud will do after AC, because how the hell we know...? I think he will move on with Tifa, You (and the Clerises) think that he won't. And...? I have to say again, that there's no official statement about Cloud's love life, so everything is based on interpretation.

Yes, it is. So what makes you think he'll move back in with Tifa? After he and Tifa got along so badly during CoT, I'd be very surprised if Cloud moved back in.

Again, they're not a couple (yet).

I think if SE wanted us to think that Cloud and Tifa became a couple after AC, they would have shown Cloud riding Fenrir back to the Seventh Heaven and taking Tifa into his arms. That would have confirmed that Cloud now realized that Tifa's the best thing that ever happened to him and that he had treated her badly during CoT.

Instead, SE showed Cloud riding out to a place associated with Aerith on Fenrir, Aerith watching him, and then SE showed Cloud off his motorcycle and in the flower field during Reminiscence. Nomura said that the AC title song of Calling plays during a very important scene in the movie. How is an ending which takes place in a flower field associated with Aerith supposed to mean that he gets together with Tifa? How does the scene with Calling mean that he gets together with Tifa when we only see Aerith and Cloud in it?

[silentchild]

Let's not forget that Tifa actually dissaproves of Cloud's delivery service. Yes, she doesn't like him doing the delivery service. Why? Because it takes him away for long periods of time. It annoys her.

She supported him running it at first, but soon it takes its toll on her.

After Cloud started his delivery service, their "family" life changed greatly. It wasn't too good. Besides morning and late night, Cloud was usually not at home. And of course, there were less chances for the three of them to have conversations together. Tifa closed the bar for a day during the week but it didn't stop Cloud from his job. It wasn't hard for Cloud to turn down requests. I just wanted us to be able to take a day off together now and then but, I suppressed that selfishness in me.

Tifa forced herself to talk to Cloud. When Marlene was near, she would pick something positive, something that wouldn't turn the conversation into a serious matter. Cloud was bewildered at the way Tifa changed but guessing at what she was doing, he went along with the mood and talked to her.

If it wasn't incompability, why would even Tifa herself, who supposedly loves Cloud, have to 'force herself' to talk to him, only when the children are around? Not only that, Cloud senses their incompability and doesn't make it up to Tifa. Instead, he just casually plays along with her little fake conversations when the children are around, otherwise, not talking to he at all.

Does that seem like a healthy, compatible relationship to you?

No, I do not see this has anything to do with guilt or depression. I think that Cloud will not move on with Tifa, especially since it is so hard for them to tolerate each other's perfectly opposites way of living.

[Pivi]

You're allowed to theorize, but I really think you should back up your theories. Why should I believe that?

Read Case of Tifa unbiased, and You will see romance in there.
Actually, the problem is, that You (and most of the biased Clerises and Clotis) want to see something in the compilation, and actually, they see it, because they twist everything in their liking (note that biased Clerises and biased Clotis are behaving the same here).
That's why I do not agree with the biased Cleris theory and the biased Cloti theories.
I read CoT, and it was very clear that Cloud wanted to move on with Tifa, he showed affection to her, but he actually can't move on because of Aerith's memory. And I think he will move on, because he let go of Aerith romantically in the movie.

You don't have to believe in it, I do not want to convince anyone that my theory is the truthness, because in the first hand, there's no official truthness-theory, it was stated by Nomura.
I respect every theories that are not close-minded, but I do not care this much about the compilation, it's just a video game. Some people take this too seriously, and overanalyzes everything.

In Reminiscence, Cloud was on the phone with Tifa in the flower fields, yet Cloud told Tifa that he was making a delivery in Midgar. So it looks to me like he's still keeping things from Tifa.

Now that's the twisting I talked about.
Everytime You see a flower field, it has to connected to Aerith somehow. No, I don't think so.

Are you so sure he'll change now that he's not depressed?

Yes, very much.

Where did it say that Cloud left the 7th Heaven when Cloud realized he was hurting them?

And when was it stated anywhere that he's in eternal romantical love with Aerith, and everything he does, has to do anything with Aerith...?
Nowhere. That's what I was talking about, there's nothing that clearly states anything, and everything is based on interpretation.

Moving out hurt Tifa even more. Why would he do something that hurt her even more if he wanted to stop hurting them?

Being with Tifa, when Cloud is depressed hurts Tifa and the children much more, than being away. Yes, it hurts them that he's not with them, but his depression and behaviour hurts them even more, if he's with them, thus he leaves. At the end of CoT, Cloud smiled at Tifa with a lot of care, and after that he left. That was the time, when he realised that he has to go away to not hurt his family more.

So what makes you think he'll move back in with Tifa?

Oh, simply the fact (in my opinion), that he does not have to feel depressed because of Aerith, and becuase he let go of her romantically. Now his feelings for Tifa can evolve. And I never said that it will.

I think if SE wanted us to think that Cloud and Tifa became a couple after AC, they would have shown Cloud riding Fenrir back to the Seventh Heaven and taking Tifa into his arms. That would have confirmed that Cloud now realized that Tifa's the best thing that ever happened to him and that he had treated her badly during CoT.

If SE would do that, they would lose a lot of fans, who supports the CloudxAerith couple, and they did not wanted to do that. Actually, they supported the CloudxTifa and the CloudxAerith couple also, so every fan can interpret anything he/she likes.

Nomura said that the AC title song of Calling plays during a very important scene in the movie.

Errr, why do You think that a "very important scene" has to do anything with romance...? The last scene showed how Cloud is free, and how he can answer the phone with his friends, without his struggle and depression. Where is the romance here...? Yes, I think it's an important scene, but nothing romantic.

Let's not forget that Tifa actually dissaproves of Cloud's delivery service. Yes, she doesn't like him doing the delivery service. Why? Because it takes him away for long periods of time. It annoys her.

Well, it's his job, he can't do anything about it. I don't see what it has to do with incompatibility, I have a similar job (being a musician and touring in the country), and my girlfriend acknoledged it.

Does that seem like a healthy, compatible relationship to you?

Well, this only reinforces my theory that they're not yet a couple, because of Aerith's memory. Cloud can't move on, before he lets go of Aerith (what he does at the end of the movie in my opinion).

No, I do not see this has anything to do with guilt or depression.

Oh, but I'm pretty sure of it.

[Anastar]

@silentchild - Well said. I completely agree. That's the way I saw it, too.

Read Case of Tifa unbiased, and You will see romance in there.
Actually, the problem is, that You (and most of the biased Clerises and Clotis) want to see something in the compilation, and actually, they see it, because they twist everything in their liking (note that biased Clerises and biased Clotis are behaving the same here).
That's why I do not agree with the biased Cleris theory and the biased Cloti theories.

And what makes you so sure that your theories are unbiased? You say that I will see romance between Cloud and Tifa in CoT if I read it in a way that agrees with YOUR interpretation of it. So you saw in the story what you want to see, and you want me to see in the story what you saw. How is that unbiased?

I read CoT, and it was very clear that Cloud wanted to move on with Tifa, he showed affection to her, but he actually can't move on because of Aerith's memory. And I think he will move on, because he let go of Aerith romantically in the movie.

That's your interpretation of the story. It wasn't my interpretation of the story. I saw something very different.

You don't have to believe in it, I do not want to convince anyone that my theory is the truthness, because in the first hand, there's no official truthness-theory, it was stated by Nomura.
I respect every theories that are not close-minded, but I do not care this much about the compilation, it's just a video game. Some people take this too seriously, and overanalyzes everything.

Then why discuss it in a thread? People give you their interpretation, you call them biased, then give no reason for your interpretation. What does that accomplish?

Now that's the twisting I talked about.
Everytime You see a flower field, it has to connected to Aerith somehow. No, I don't think so.

I associate the flower field with Aerith because she was shown in the flower field as Cloud approached it. In Reminiscence, we see Cloud off his bike, and Cloud in the flower field. We see flowers from the flower field in his office, pictures of the flower field over the desk in his office, and pictures of the flower field on the desk in his office. That indicates that the flower field has great significance to Cloud, and Aerith was seen in the flower field as Cloud approached. Why would the flower field hold such significance for Cloud if he's "gotten over" Aerith?

Flowers in general are associated with Aerith are associated with Aerith because she was a flower girl. Aerith also grew flowers in her Church. When Cloud was riding to the Forgotten City to rescue the children, Aerith appeared to him in a different flower field. That's why we associate flower fields with Aerith, and the one seen in Calling and Reminiscence in particular.

Are you so sure he'll change now that he's not depressed?

Yes, very much.

You've yet to say why. I still see Cloud withholding information from Tifa in Reminiscence when he's no longer depressed. It doesn't look to me like he's changed. He's still doing one of the very things that annoyed her in CoT.

And when was it stated anywhere that he's in eternal romantical love with Aerith, and everything he does, has to do anything with Aerith...?
Nowhere. That's what I was talking about, there's nothing that clearly states anything, and everything is based on interpretation.

And when was it stated that he'll move on with Tifa?

Being with Tifa, when Cloud is depressed hurts Tifa and the children much more, than being away. Yes, it hurts them that he's not with them, but his depression and behaviour hurts them even more, if he's with them, thus he leaves. At the end of CoT, Cloud smiled at Tifa with a lot of care, and after that he left. That was the time, when he realised that he has to go away to not hurt his family more.

Where did it say that he smiled at Tifa with a lot of care? Where did it say that he realized he had to go away not to hurt his family any more? Where does it say that Cloud considers Tifa and the children to be his family? That's only your interpretation.

Oh, simply the fact (in my opinion), that he does not have to feel depressed because of Aerith, and becuase he let go of her romantically. Now his feelings for Tifa can evolve. And I never said that it will.

I agree that Cloud doesn't have to feel depressed because of Aerith now, but what indicates that he let go of her romantically? The mere fact that the flower field holds such great significance to Cloud tells me that he hasn't moved on romantically. It could happen, but where is there indication that it will happen?

Errr, why do You think that a "very important scene" has to do anything with romance...? The last scene showed how Cloud is free, and how he can answer the phone with his friends, without his struggle and depression. Where is the romance here...? Yes, I think it's an important scene, but nothing romantic.

Cloud rides Fenrir to a place associated with Aerith, takes pictures of it, picks flowers from there, and brings them back to his office. That means he wants to remember it and spend time in the flower field. That means Aerith is still significant to him, and he likes to spend time in a place where he can feel her presence. That says to me that Cloud hasn't "let go" of Aerith and that he hasn't "moved on".

[Sefie1999AD]

Does that seem like a healthy, compatible relationship to you?

Aeris is dead, Cloud is alive. And still you think they have a healthy, compatible relationship?

[*~*EnglishRose*~*]

seeing as though I have nothing to quote, I would like to make my first post in these forums on my opinion, and then you guys can have a good long quoting session. ^_^

In FF7, Cloud talks of pain when Aerith dies.

"What is this...pain?"

Cloud grieves so much when Aerith dies, Not surprising if someone who meant alot to you dies.

I don't think anyone can forget the slip-up Cloud made at the Cosmo Candle...

"But I'm--- we're here for you, right?"

That quote was not made by the Creators by accident. Could they be possible suggesting that Cloud maybe had some feelings for Aerith? After all, they were the one who put that piece of dialogue in there.

Have you ever seen the special little moments between Cloud and Aerith? *squee* The time she made him laugh, his slip-up of course, what about when Aerith reaches out to him, and, according to MotP, she helps him find himself when he suffers from Mako poisoning. She gives Tifa the job, and admits she is jealous. Who wouldn't, if the man you love can't reach you physically, and you yourself have stuff to do?

This does not mean that Aerith gave her "blessing" for Cloud and Tifa to be together. When does she say, "It's ok, you go out with Tifa, since I've been completely assassinated by the guy who wants to rule the world."? Nowhere. so where do you guys get the idea that Aerith wants Cloud to be with Tifa?

[Anastar]

Aeris is dead, Cloud is alive. And still you think they have a healthy, compatible relationship?

Who said they had a relationship? I said that Cloud continues to love her, and that Aerith continues to love Cloud. Cloud wants to remember Aerith (shown by the pink ribbon he wears, the flowers on the desk, the pictures of the flower field on the desk, and moving into her Church). Since the flower field is very significant to Cloud, it's pretty obvious that Cloud spends a lot of time in the flower field where Aerith is. We learned in AC that Aerith and Cloud are able to see one another, communicate with one another, and touch one another.

When Cloud was depressed, he didn't talk about it with Tifa. Instead, he told Tifa that he wanted to drink alone. Tifa was threatened by that, yelled at him, and told him to go to his room. When Tifa tried to talk to him about it in AC, Cloud remained almost silent, kept his back to Tifa, and looked out the window at an angel statue (which could easily represent Aerith). However, he talked about it to Aerith easily when he met with her on his way to the Forgotten City.

If Cloud has such a trusting and compatible relationship with Tifa, why did he choose to talk about it with Aerith instead of Tifa?

[Karl]

im glad there is a game/movie that doesnt have a love story that takes over the plot, love stories shouldnt mix with action

[Pivi]

Hi Rose!!!

And what makes you so sure that your theories are unbiased?

Well, because actually, I do not give a sh*t about Cloud's love life, and I do not want him to end up with Tifa (or Aerith). The thing that I see a big possibility for them has to do nothing with "OMG, they're destined to be together".
I just do not care that much about the whole compilation.

You say that I will see romance between Cloud and Tifa in CoT if I read it in a way that agrees with YOUR interpretation of it.

Hah, actually, no.
I have a lot of Cleris friends, who saw romance in CoT. Are they not Clerises then...?

So you saw in the story what you want to see, and you want me to see in the story what you saw. How is that unbiased?

Hmmm, what do I want to see in the story...? Please be that kind, and tell me.

That's your interpretation of the story. It wasn't my interpretation of the story. I saw something very different.

And...?

Then why discuss it in a thread?

Because discussing is fun.

Why would the flower field hold such significance for Cloud if he's "gotten over" Aerith?

Because he do not want to forget her. I never said that now he'll forget her, and will never remember her.
I think she'll stay in his heart forever, but he won't love her romantically eternally.

I still see Cloud withholding information from Tifa in Reminiscence when he's no longer depressed.

What does he hold back from her...? That he stopped to get a flower, and stopped, to call her...? I think if he would hold back anything from Tifa, he wouldn't put that flower directly in front of the photo, but instead he would hide anything that represents Aerith, away from Tifa. But he does not do this.

And when was it stated that he'll move on with Tifa?

When was I stated that it was stated...?

Where did it say that he smiled at Tifa with a lot of care?

From CoT:
Cloud gazed at Tifa and finally smiled. It had that kindness that made her think everything was all right.

That's only your interpretation.

Of course! So...?

It could happen, but where is there indication that it will happen?

Again, where do I stated that all of my interpretation will happen...? I even said that Cloud and Tifa has a possibility, and I never said that it's a fact that they'll end up together.

All in all, at the end of AC, I see a single Cloud, with possibility for Cloti, that's all.

That says to me that Cloud hasn't "let go" of Aerith and that he hasn't "moved on".

Well, it says to me, that he want to remember Aerith, because she'll be dear to him. But it has to do nothing with romantical love.

[Aquarius]

Aeris is dead, Cloud is alive. And still you think they have a healthy, compatible relationship?

The "Cloud loves necrophilia!!" joke got old a long time ago.

[Anastar]

Well, because actually, I do not give a sh*t about Cloud's love life, and I do not want him to end up with Tifa (or Aerith). The thing that I see a big possibility for them has to do nothing with "OMG, they're destined to be together".
I just do not care that much about the whole compilation.

You don't want him to end up with Tifa, but you seem quite sure that Cloud will move on with Tifa?

Hah, actually, no.
I have a lot of Cleris friends, who saw romance in CoT. Are they not Clerises then...?

And you've yet to tell me where you saw this romance. I'm not going to make judgements about the opinions of people I do not know.

Hmmm, what do I want to see in the story...? Please be that kind, and tell me.

From what you've told me, I would say that you want to see Cloud move on with Tifa. Since you don't explain what you're basing your opinion on, then I'm assuming that you must think that "moving on" would be what's best for Cloud and therefore it will happen.

And...?

Just giving you a taste of your own medicine.

Because he do not want to forget her. I never said that now he'll forget her, and will never remember her.
I think she'll stay in his heart forever, but he won't love her romantically eternally.

What do you base that on, and why does that mean that he'll move on with Tifa?

What does he hold back from her...? That he stopped to get a flower, and stopped, to call her...? I think if he would hold back anything from Tifa, he wouldn't put that flower directly in front of the photo, but instead he would hide anything that represents Aerith, away from Tifa. But he does not do this.

If Cloud continues acting the way he did in CoT, then he may have simply said, "I found this by the side of the road" and never mentioned what it had to do with Aerith. How do you know he told Tifa that Aerith is in the flower field? How do you know he told Tifa that he can communicate with Aerith? How do you know he told Tifa that he sees Aerith sometimes?

I haven't heard Reminiscence myself, but the majority of people seem to think that Tifa called Cloud. They tell me the sounds before Tifa's call are the same as when Cloud received phone calls from the other people.

Another thing he hid from Tifa is why he's taking the day off. That's something Tifa wanted him to do in CoT, but he refused. Now he decides to take a day off, but he doesn't ask her to join him. Please don't say that he may be planning to surprise her, because that's extremely OOC for Cloud.

From CoT:
Cloud gazed at Tifa and finally smiled. It had that kindness that made her think everything was all right.

In the first place, you said "caring". Caring and kindness often go together, but they're not the same thing. For example, I may be kind and help an elderly woman cross the street, but that doesn't mean I'll continue caring for that woman for the rest of her life. So an act of kindness can exist without actual long-term caring and/or love.

Secondly, that's from Tifa's point of view, and she goes on to say that it may have been an illusion. In other words, she thought it was kindness at the time, but it may have been something else. If Tifa's not sure that's what it was, why are you sure?

Again, where do I stated that all of my interpretation will happen...? I even said that Cloud and Tifa has a possibility, and I never said that it's a fact that they'll end up together.

Okay... then you should also accept the possibility as well as the interpretation that Cloud and Tifa will not end up together.

Well, it says to me, that he want to remember Aerith, because she'll be dear to him. But it has to do nothing with romantical love.

Someone wanting to remember a loved one who has passed away is often an indication of romantic love, so it can be interpreted that way. I interpret the significance of the flower field to Cloud as being indication that he will spend lots of time there. Wanting to spend a great deal of time at the resting place of a loved one who passed away is indication that you loved them. MotP indicates that Aerith has retained her form in the Lifestream due to her love for Cloud, and that Aerith wants to communicate her love to Cloud:

Slanting her head to the side, she thought more about it.

"Will I be able to talk to Cloud somewhere? So that I can tell him I'm fine... It's kind of odd saying I'm fine but maybe I can be "clearer" about myself here."

Maybe she could be clear about her affections towards Cloud here. Then maybe they would be seen as family or lovers... During her lifetime in Midgar, she felt many souls of the ones that tried to confess their love. Those that still had those feelings or had those feelings left behind them could strongly retain their consciousness as a "whole".

AC also showed us that the same boundaries between those who are dead and those who are alive in our world does not exist between Aerith and Cloud because they are able to communicate with one another, see one another, and touch one another, so Aerith would be able to communicate this to Cloud. If Aerith wants them recognized as lovers, then Aerith must realize that Cloud has the same feelings for her as she she has for him. Aerith still had her form in AC, so her feelings for Cloud have not changed. She also said in MotP that she would have stayed with Cloud forever and ever, if possible. Since Aerith thinks their feelings were reciprocated, then Cloud feels the same way. That's a love that will never die.

[Sefie1999AD]

The "Cloud loves necrophilia!!" joke got old a long time ago.

The "Cloud loves Aeris!!" joke got old a long time ago.

shown by the pink ribbon he wears

First, the ribbon is red (not pink!), and second, everyone wears the ribbon, including Tifa, Barret, Cid, Vincent, Red XIII, Cait Sith and Yuffie.

[Night Strife]

Isn't that in memory of Aeris?

[Aquarius]

The "Cloud loves Aeris!!" joke got old a long time ago.

Well hey, that's your opinion. I'm not denying that Cloud does love Tifa, so I'm not going down to that level. I'd appreciate if you could do the same, like Pivi and respect other theories.

[Pivi]

You don't want him to end up with Tifa, but you seem quite sure that Cloud will move on with Tifa?

Heh, what is this have to do with being biased?
If there's a trial, and I do not see the convict guilty, does it mean that I like him/her? No, of course not.
Thus, because I see possibility for Cloti, is not makes me a biased Cloti.

And you've yet to tell me where you saw this romance. I'm not going to make judgements about the opinions of people I do not know.

The blushing scene, the holding scene, and nearly everything before he got geostigma and his depression.
Should I quote them out of Case of Tifa?

From what you've told me, I would say that you want to see Cloud move on with Tifa.

You can't be much wronger. I really do not care for them that much.

Since you don't explain what you're basing your opinion on, then I'm assuming that you must think that "moving on" would be what's best for Cloud and therefore it will happen.

Again, should I repeat myself? I hope not, read back my posts more clearly. I never said anything will happen.

Just giving you a taste of your own medicine.

But you do not make any sense...

What do you base that on, and why does that mean that he'll move on with Tifa?

Based on my interpretation on the whole compilation. Wow, who thought, eh...?

If Cloud continues acting the way he did in CoT, then he may have simply said, "I found this by the side of the road" and never mentioned what it had to do with Aerith.

I have bolded the word for You. But he does not have geostigma, so I don't think he would.

How do you know he told Tifa that Aerith is in the flower field? How do you know he told Tifa that he can communicate with Aerith? How do you know he told Tifa that he sees Aerith sometimes?

How do you know he did not tell Tifa that Aerith is in the flower field? How do you know that he did not tell Tifa that he can communicate with Aerith? How do You know he did not tell Tifa that he sees Aerith sometimes?
And for the biggest question, how do you know that he can communicate with Aerith and that he sees Aerith sometimes? I don't think Aerith can appear for him that much, and that easily.

I haven't heard Reminiscence myself

How can You use something in a debate that You're not familiar with...?

but the majority of people seem to think that Tifa called Cloud.

From the Bonus Calls translation:

Call 5 [0:16:36]

Cloud:

Hey, it's me. I've only got one more package to deliver to Midgar. Has there been any more requests...?
....
No, turn that one down. I'm making tomorrow a holiday.
....
Nothing special... Say Tifa, can you close the shop?
....
Not hard is it.
....
OK. Let Denzel and Marlene know too. See you later, then.

Do You answer a phone call with a 'Hey, it's me', followed by a full sentence, and not asking what the caller wants...? Because there's no people who acts like this.
So Cloud called Tifa. He stopped to call her if there's anything else to do.

Another thing he hid from Tifa is why he's taking the day off. That's something Tifa wanted him to do in CoT, but he refused. Now he decides to take a day off, but he doesn't ask her to join him. Please don't say that he may be planning to surprise her, because that's extremely OOC for Cloud.

He's taking a dayout with all of his friends. That's what the Reminisence calls are about, so You should listen to it (or read the call translations), before You make false interpretations of the scenes...

Secondly, that's from Tifa's point of view, and she goes on to say that it may have been an illusion. In other words, she thought it was kindness at the time, but it may have been something else. If Tifa's not sure that's what it was, why are you sure?

Having read through all of Case of Tifa, and knowing how deeply Cloud care for Tifa (being it romantic or not, it's not matter at this time), it wasn't an illusion, and that's why I made my interpretation, as I made.

Also, do not forget the staff interview:

Q: At the end of FFVII, Cloud saved the world and was on the way to a happy ending but, in the two years towards AC, he returned to the way he was in the past. What happened to him?

Nojima: Cloud never had a boring personality in the first place so when he started living with Tifa and started out his job, the peaceful life that he had never experienced before made him anxious. During that time, he also contracted Geostigma so it's to protect the ones precious to him or not, he had to face death and ran away.

Is there any incompatibiltiy with Tifa...? No, there isn't.
It really makes sense. Cloud changed his behaviour suddenly. What happened to him? He contracted geostigma. So in the first hand, he felt depression not only because of Aerith's death (don't forget that when they first visited Aerith's grave in CoT, Tifa was the one who cried, and he was the one, who tried to calm her), but because the effect of geostigma.

From CoT:
At least now she understood the sadness and pain she felt, tearing her heart apart as she visited the place. Being a member of Avalanche and being with a large group of people gave her these feelings. The tears wouldn't stop.

"I'm sorry, I'm really sorry."

She felt Cloud's hand on her shoulder. He held onto her firmly so that she wouldn't go anywhere. For now, she was just going to let herself cry as much as she felt like. Then she was going to leave the rest to him.

Alone, she just didn't know what she could do.

Okay... then you should also accept the possibility as well as the interpretation that Cloud and Tifa will not end up together.

Of course I accept, as I said, I respect every theories that are not close-minded. I do not really care, if Cloud dies single in an age of, say, 85, and reunites with Aerith. I do not think that it will happen, but I see the possibility for this also, not just for Cloud and Tifa.

Someone wanting to remember a loved one who has passed away is often an indication of romantic love, so it can be interpreted that way.

Yes, I agree with this one, but the word is interpretation here again.

If Aerith wants them recognized as lovers, then Aerith must realize that Cloud has the same feelings for her as she she has for him.

He had those feelings in FF7, yes. But in AC...? I don't think so. Well, I'm pretty sure that he has some romantical feelings inside him (he did not let her go yet), but it's not the same feeling as it was in FF7, and Cloud's depression only came when he contracted geostigma.

Aerith still had her form in AC, so her feelings for Cloud have not changed.

Hmmm, her feelings are much more caring feelings in AC then romantical for me...
Yes, it was clear that she loved Cloud romantically, but somehow after I read Maiden, I had the impression, that he changed to a "mother" figure (not because of the "Mother" comment in AC), and she cared not only for Cloud, but for everyone. So I had the impression, that she let go of him romantically.

And another question is, if Aerith can manifestate herself that easily in the "upper world", then why didn't she do that...? If she loves Cloud that much romantically, why didn't she manifestate when he was depressed, and when he started struggling because of geostigma...? She made very few appearances through AC, and that's just for stirring Cloud to the right direction, and not to confess their love.

Even Cloud did not behave like one, who is eternally in love with her... He wanted forgiveness from her, and not to be with her forever.

That's a love that will never die.

If that's the case, then why did Cloud behave like he did in the first part of CoT...? Why was he optimistic, why did he want to start a new life with Tifa, Marlene and Barret, why did he show some affection towards Tifa (blushing scene in CoT, for example), and why he changed suddenly...?

A romantical love that never dies, is much like Vincent's and Lucrecia's love, but not like Cloud's and Aerith's. Vincent is behaving much like the one, who'll never love another woman romantically, but Cloud is not.