Resolution (Thread)

Cloud makes the most expressions, takes the most initiative, and shows the most emotion and concern for Aerith compared to the other scenes.

The comparison between this and the platonic scenes makes it clear who Cloud loves.

#Clerith #クラエア

Cloud’s dialogue is too large to include in one tweet but the moments where he reveals his feelings and concern for Aerith are in the next tweet:

Cloud’s comments with Aerith:

1. “You okay?”
2. “So what, you wanna stay?”
3. “Your mom’s really worried, too.”
4. “Of course I am.”
5. “I‘ll remember that.”
6. “You need to embrace this moment. Right?”
7. “Do I get a say in all this?”
8. “I’m coming for you.”

1. He immediately asks if she’s alright, implying he’s concerned for her safety and feelings.

2. He asks her what she wants; his voice sounds offended that she may be okay with their separation and her captivity.

3. Cloud reveals he’s worried for her (again).

4. Cloud reassures Aerith that “of course” he’s worried for her.

5. Cloud cherishes Aerith’s advice, taking her words to heart and this makes Aerith happy.

6. Cloud sees Aerith’s mood shift, and he repeats her words back to her to brighten her mood (again).

To recap:

Cloud has demonstrated to Aerith that he’s not only aware of her emotions even when she’s hiding them, but that he is actively trying to make her happier when he sees her sad.

He leaves his stoic comfort zone and becomes offended she may be okay with being separated from him, and that he’s scared for her safety.

And in an attempt to brighten her mood, he playfully repeats her words back to her and shows respect for what she’s saying.

This is so impressive for Cloud, the stoic mercenary that is said to have a “icy exterior/heart”.

Finally, we have the ending of the scene...

7. When Aerith warns him to not fall in love with her, Cloud reaches out to grab her. Realizing she’s not real, he scoffs and clenches his fist in frustration.

He doesn’t rebuke her assumption, he just tells her to let him have a say in the matter of loving her.

I’ve shown in this thread (below) Cloud will correct Aerith’s assumptions and be honest with her when it’s about his thoughts or feelings towards her.

The fact that Cloud didn’t deny what Aerith said is proof that he is admitting in a very “stoic” way that he already loves her. https://twitter.com/cloudxaerith/status/1291274885709344769

Finally, we arrive to the clincher. “I’M COMING FOR YOU”

These words “MUKAE NI IKU” are incredibly romantic in Japanese pop-culture and you can read about it here: https://twitter.com/angela_jp2020/status/1256287108253093889?s=21

Cloud is telling Aerith that he will bring her back to HIS side, implying he thinks she belongs with him. And if you read that amazing thread, you will see that the romantic context of the phrase is incredibly blatant and often a romance trope in manga and anime.

Aerith’s reaction to Cloud’s words is proof of how profound his response is. She smiles sadly. She doesn’t want to admit how happy he made her by saying all of this, because she knows her life ends tragically. But she is happy to know he’s coming for her and feels this way.

If you compare everything Cloud does, says, or what he physically does when he’s with Aerith, to the other two scenes, it’s so obvious which Resolution scene is supposed to be romantic.

Let’s start with dialogue.

Cloud’s comments in both resolution scenes:

Barret:
“Likewise”
“‘Course she did”
“Sounds good”
“Think you can sleep now?”

T/fa:
“Can’t sleep?”
“I heard footsteps”
“I’m a light sleeper. It’s a SOLDIER thing.”
“That’s not true.”

Cloud only makes one comment in both scenes that indicates concern (i.e., “Think you can sleep now?” & “That’s not true”). While these resolution scenes are heartwarming in a platonic sense, there’s nothing exactly “wowing” about either scene in regards to who Cloud loves.

With Barret, Cloud’s responses are stoic and cool. With Cloud’s comments are about his SOLDIER abilities. Cloud makes one comment to both of them that could be argued as soft/light-hearted or sympathetic. But that’s it. Nothing amazing is said by Cloud at all.

Furthermore, in ’s scene, Cloud hears T weeping and lamenting and even being jealous, and he does nothing to verbally or physically intervene to make her feel better or to reassure her.

Again, there’s absolutely no initiative or vulnerability from Cloud in any way.

Even after he awkwardly struggles to return her hug, Cloud’s expression is so indifferent in the scene, as if his mind is elsewhere. He’s so distracted by his thoughts that he ends up hurting T.

Furthermore, Nojima revealed that Cloud was imitating Barret when he hugged T. To Cloud, this was a platonic gesture he recognized as something friends do.

On top of this fact, it was revealed in the Ultimania that the hug was never originally going to happen and was a last minute addition to the scene.

So if the physical hug wasn’t included... what exactly about the T resolution scene is considered “romantic”?

Just from looking at the screenshots I compiled, the other two scenes just don’t have as much drama, detail, or emotion from Cloud.

Forgot to add this: https://twitter.com/cloudxaerith/status/1321648266799419392