The camera that once fell
Once you begin gathering materials for the flower cart, you can examine the battered camera in front of the slum church. Zack thinks the camera's owner must be some kind of shutterbug voyeur. But the word “TSENG” written on this camera reveals that its true owner is Tseng of the Turks.
Was the person who used the battered camera to “snap secret photos” really Aerith?
The rumors between Tseng of the Turks and Aerith
Tseng received the mission of protecting Aerith, the only Cetra in the world, and for years asked Aerith to cooperate with Shinra. But Aerith, who hated Shinra after losing her parents, kept refusing the requests for cooperation. Despite this, Tseng did not resort to forceful means, and continued to persuade her.
Incidentally, the relationship between these two is also depicted in Final Fantasy VII and Before Crisis. According to rumors within the Turks, Tseng seems to have held special feelings for Aerith, but whether they were romantic is uncertain. On the other hand, for Aerith as well, Tseng's existence was somewhat special. In Final Fantasy VII: “Although Tseng is with the enemy Turks, someone I've known since childhood like him is rare. In this world, people who truly know me are few…”
When Tseng saw Zack and Aerith
Ten years with Aerith
Tseng had long been in charge of the mission of monitoring the Cetra—Aerith. From before Aerith turned ten, Tseng began visiting her home to ask her to cooperate with Shinra, watching over her until the day she would be brought to headquarters. Having spent so long with Aerith, he held special feelings for her, but seeing her grow close to Zack so quickly, what must he have thought？
The love triangle of Zack, Aerith, and Tseng
Tseng, monitoring her without leaving Aerith's side. Does a complicated love triangle over Aerith unfold?
The letters to Zack, delivered on Tseng's behalf
—Even so, Aerith is really strong. I never imagined she had been sending letters for four years
【Imaizumi】: The voice line for the part of the letter that says “the xxxth letter” had already been recorded from the start, but since it was used in the shocking scene where Zack learns the current date, we made some adjustments and had the voice actor re-record that part.
【Nomura】: We also adjusted how the letters were delivered. At first I had all the letters carried by the dog-shaped Angeal Copy in the church, but it was pointed out that making him carry dozens of letters would be too pitiful, since his body was already on the verge of falling apart from degradation (laughs). So it was decided that only the last letter would be entrusted to the Angeal Copy, but before that, it was always Tseng who delivered them on her behalf.
Aerith's letters
These are letters Aerith wrote to Zack, who went missing after the Nibelheim incident. She wrote 89 of them over 4 years; 88 of them were kept by Tseng, and the final one was entrusted to the Angeal Copy living in the church.
Protection he once gave to Aerith
(Gave Aerith her initial weapon and taught her how to use magic)
"If it feels like a burden, you can give it back to me. That would actually make things easier for both of us. And let me say one more thing, I'd prefer you stop coming to the church, too. To be honest, I'd even like to forbid you from playing with dirt in your own yard. Even a small wound could let bacteria in and lead to death. ”
“Tseng, you worry too much。”
Aerith smiled wryly.
"There's nothing strange about it. You should know your own worth better."
"Come on, come on. The one and only Cetra. If anything happened to me, it would be a great loss to humanity, right?"
"Besides, if something really did happen to you, Elmyra would probably never forgive us—no, she wouldn't forgive herself, either."
Tseng nodded earnestly, then left.
Aerith's initial weapon was given to her by Tseng
Tseng was holding a slender, lightweight silver rod.
"This is a rod made of metal designed with weight reduction in mind. Its rigidity isn't particularly strong, so it isn't suited for thrusting or striking."
As he spoke, Tseng demonstrated how to extend and retract the rod.
"It telescopes in three sections, so it's convenient to carry."
"You're giving it to me?"
"Yes. We concluded this was for the best. Because if we left you to your own devices, there's no telling what you'd get up to."
Tseng said this without changing his expression, and handed the rod over.
"Thank you."
When she took it and tried it out, the rod was indeed light. Perhaps even lighter than the broom at home.
"A small Materia is set into the grip. You know what Materia is, right?"
"Mm-hm."
It was wrapped in cloth, so she couldn't see it directly, but she could feel something round embedded there.
"It's Cure and Blizzard. Have you ever used magic?"
Aerith shook her head.
"Materia is crystallized spiritual energy that circulates through the Planet. This is Materia manufactured by Shinra; its effects are slightly inferior to natural Materia, but it has been processed to make it easier to use. All you need to do is strongly think of the magic you want to use. As a beginner, it's better to say it out loud. That way, the spiritual energy imbued with that concept will pass through this rod as a medium and into the Materia. The Materia will generate magic according to the spell formula sealed within it. The magic will then, again through the rod as a medium, manifest in the physical world. Blizzard is a spell that does not easily cause fires, so using it indoors poses no major problem. Did you follow all of that?"
"Blizzard."
The moment Aerith repeated the word she had heard for the first time, the rod glowed instantly, and ice magic was released. Tseng quickly twisted aside, dodging the icy shock wave.
"I'm sorry! Are you okay?"
"Yes, I anticipated it. That was fast. Normally, a first casting requires training. It might not please you to hear this, but you truly are worthy of being a Cetra."
Dear Destiny, pages 229–230
Aerith after being protected by Tseng
The cries and screams of men could be heard.
Amid the light, she saw the figure of Angeal leaping about.
Ah, Angeal. Have you come to save me?
"Aerith. Aerith."
Someone gently patted her cheek. She slowly opened her eyes, and Tseng was looking down at her.
"Do you know who I am? Where is this?"
"Tseng. The church in the slums."
Tseng nodded and asked her to report what had happened before she lost consciousness.
Aerith, who had been lying on the bench, hurriedly sat up. She remembered collapsing on the floor. Tseng must have carried her over. Having been seen in such an unguarded state made her a little frustrated. Putting on a nonchalant air, she began to recount: after using magic against the monsters, she grew lightheaded. She had barely managed to escape to this place. She remembered being spoken to by some men, but had no strength to respond, so she ignored them. She lost consciousness immediately upon entering the church, and knew nothing after that.
"Hmm... I don't think I know him."
She lied. Tseng's gaze did not waver.
"Really?"
"Of course. What, are you doubting me? I'm the one who'd suffer for it, you know?"
Tseng gave a cold smile.
"Understood. Also, as a formality, let me report this: Bogt, who was in charge of your guard, was injured near the outer wall; Traugh was injured when his gun misfired. It seems they got lost somewhere unfamiliar and ran into monsters. Both only suffered light injuries, but they will both be removed from your guard detail. Listen, Aerith, the Turks are severely short-handed right now—I must admit that."
"So I have a proposal, one you may also choose to decline. You could, as before, live safely inside the Shinra Building—"
"That's impossible. Please leave."
Elmyra answered before Aerith could even open her mouth. Tseng gave a faint smile once more, and left.
Tseng's gentleness
"I see. If you need a Shinra doctor to take a look, contact me anytime."
"Thank you. Though, she will most likely refuse."
"I imagine so."
Tseng looked up toward Elmyra's room on the second floor.
"I hope she recovers soon."
Hm—Tseng would occasionally say such gentle things. Aerith couldn't judge how much of it was sincere. Gentleness feigned to win the trust of the mother and daughter—as sad as it was to suspect this, the possibility was not low.
The enigmatic Tseng
Along with her anger, her mind suddenly sharpened. Aerith slowly stood up.
She was walking down a familiar road leading to the church.
"Tseng! Reno! Rude!"
The names of the Turks echoed between the high walls of piled-up scrap. Yet there was no reply.
(Some content omitted...)
"Before I answer that question, I have something to say. Do not shout our names in the street. Our names have meaning only in fear, when whispered in secret."
Tseng felt Aerith was unaware of her own charm
"It seems he got to know you through business dealings, and was shocked to learn you were the daughter of that prominent figure—of the Gainsborough family... Apparently, he mentioned it while drinking. When Rapp heard this, he egged on his old acquaintance Jesse, and they plotted a plan to abduct you. If they couldn't extort a ransom, they intended to sell you off in Sector 6. Jesse is a scout for the Wall Market."
"What on earth did they take me for?"
Aerith said indignantly.
"Villains abound, high and low alike. You must be more careful. You really are somewhat—"
"Somewhat what?"
"Unaware of your own charm."
"Huh?"
The Turks on Aerith's Side
"Even if you keep it hidden, we'll find out the truth soon enough. And the truth won't necessarily make you sad."
"This is a time when you should tell the truth. I hope you won't forget that we're on your side。"
Tseng Sounds Like a Mom
"That is their destiny. Think of it that way, and try to make peace with it."
"You sound just like my mother."
"Looking at you, such words slip out. You are special. Even if you long for an ordinary life, it can never be. Be aware that you are special, and take pride in it. Just like Zack."
"You don't know anything about Zack."
'Excuse me' — with those words, Tseng left.
The Mean Turks
The door opened.
"Tseng!"
It had really been a long time.
Tseng walked toward Aerith in the flower field, his expression unchanged.
"I heard from Elmyra. Time is short, so I'll be brief."
"Okay."
"A new ID will be issued for you. It will cover the Sector 5 slums and Sector 8 of the plate."
"That's great!"
"This is a personal request, but it would be best to limit your activities in Sector 8 to the area around the station. The public order there may not be as bad as the slums, but there are large crowds, and just as many dangers. You know the Turks are short-handed."
Tseng took the ID card from the inner pocket of his suit.
"Now then. There is one condition for me to hand over this card."
Aerith hurriedly withdrew the hand she had just started to extend.
"Close one, close one."
"Someone has made a personal request to speak with you. A phone call will do; it will be brief. He says he has a few questions he wants to ask."
"I have a question too. Talking with that person... will it make me happy?"
Tseng gave a wry smile and shook his head.
"Is it Professor Hojo?"
Tseng nodded this time.
"No. Absolutely not."
So Tseng dangled the ID card in his hand, then put it back in his pocket.
"The mean Turks."
"People often say that. So, what will you do?"
As he said this, he took out his phone.
No, no, no — her mind was filled with voices of refusal. But she couldn't get the card without speaking to that hateful Hojo. Even without an ID, she could still sell flowers on the plate — it was just that she couldn't be there in person. But imagining herself unable to go made her heart stir restlessly. The desire to expand her world had already begun to sprout.
"As I thought... I still want to go."
