Boyfriend and girlfriend, lovers
① Reporting to his family back home that he has a girlfriend
To Dad and Mom:
How are you doing? I'm sorry I left the village in such a hurry back then
Because I really wanted to join SOLDIER. If I had told you, you'd surely have worried...
I've achieved my dream now, and I'll keep working hard as a member of SOLDIER
PS：I have a girlfriend now
Zack
A letter from Zack to his parents. The postscript mentions that the "girlfriend" is Aerith?
The "girlfriend" reported to his family back home
Six or seven years before the events of FF7, Zack wrote a letter to his parents saying he had a girlfriend. Six to seven years ago—right around when he met Aerith in CC, does that mean his girlfriend was Aerith?
Although Zack seemed to have many female friends, specially notifying his family back home meant she must have been a special someone。
②Aerith's boyfriend
"Hey, what about that person? Aerith's boyfriend!"
"...Mm."
Aerith was at a loss for words for a moment.
"Huh? Don't tell me, you've split up?"
She couldn't brush it off.
"Not exactly. It's just... we haven't seen each other for a while."
③ The atmosphere of lovers
She gently held the heartbroken Zack from behind. They already seemed like a couple, with an atmosphere of lovers……
⑤ Suddenly falling in love
When it comes to topics related to Aerith, as much as possible they are also related to Zack.
—In FF7, the story of Aerith "having a first love" was depicted in CC, which must delight many fans who could only imagine it.
[Nojima]: From the very beginning we decided to combine it with her meeting Cloud, who "fell from above into the church." The two were still too young for what you'd call romance, and since the game didn't spend much time depicting "why she fell for him," we made them look like they met suddenly and fell in love. Personally, what made me happiest was being able to turn that line Aerith says to Cloud in FF7—"go on one date"—into a line of Zack's. In FF7 I intended it as a casual line, but precisely because of that some people said Aerith was too casual, which bothered me a little. I felt I could come to her defense by having Aerith quote Zack's line.
⑦ A relationship like lovers
One day, Zack suddenly fell into the slum church. Cheerful and dependable, he captured Aerith's heart at once，and the two's relationship was as good as lovers. The reason she didn't send Zack an email is that she didn't have a phone.
Faced with Aerith, who so candidly showed her affection, Zack's heart also raced。
⑧ A platonic romance
During a mission, Zack fell into the church in the Sector 5 slums, where he had a fateful encounter with Aerith, a girl who raised flowers in the church. Just being together made him content—a platonic romance. Those happy days seemed like they would never end...
⑨ A one-of-a-kind existence
"But, in the end it's still a monster. I'm worried. If anything happens, call the Turks, okay? I'll give them a heads-up too. I've got a few connections!"
"Are you that worried about me?"
"Of course! Aerith is one of a kind in this world. She's special. "
Hearing this, Aerith was startled. She had never told Zack that she was the last Cetra, the last descendant of the Ancients. But thinking about it, it wouldn't be strange for him to know—after all, he was a member of Shinra.
"So you knew?"
"Knew?"
Zack looked puzzled. "Ah, about the Cetra thing. Yeah, I've heard. But that's not what I meant—"
Zack fell silent mid-sentence. Hesitating, his eyes wandering. Nothing like his usual self. Then, Aerith realized it. His unsteady gaze, the words circling at his lips. Could that not be... his feelings about me? One of a kind in the world. A special existence. Not to Shinra, not to the world—but if it meant to Zack. The moment she understood, joy and shyness surged up together, and she instinctively looked away.
Then, without a word, the two walked the rest of the way. That silence was comforting, as if a small bell kept ringing deep in her heart.
⑩Valentine's Day Event
Cheer for getting "Valentine's Zack" and the "Chocolate Buster Sword"!
The Budding of Love
First Love
①Aerith's First Love
He is a warm-hearted SOLDIER who deeply treasures his bonds with people and throws himself into danger without hesitation when his companions are in crisis. He is Aerith's first love, and also a good friend of Cloud and Sephiroth. During the Nibelheim incident, he was used by Hojo as an experimental subject, and unfortunately lost his life while fleeing together with Cloud. His character had a great influence on Cloud, who was controlled by Jenova cells.
When Cloud asked Aerith what had happened, she admitted that the "first love" she had mentioned was Zack, but since she went to work five years ago, she had never heard from him again...…
②He Brought Aerith Her First Love
Just like Cloud in FF7, the SOLDIER Zack fell from the sky into the church right in front of Aerith. Meeting him brought Aerith her first love.
③The First Person She Had a Gentle Fondness For
"Aerith... is that Aerith?"
Suddenly called out to, she at first couldn't recall whose voice it was, and turned around in a fluster—there stood a face she hadn't seen in five years, long missed. He was the first person Aerith ever had a gentle fondness for. A close friend who had suddenly lost contact with her back then and whom she had never seen again. And then, the figure she glimpsed in Cloud's movements—the SOLDIER with the glowing blue eyes, Zack, appeared there. A figure as vivid to Aerith as Cloud himself.
④The First Love Who Became a Friend by Buying Flowers
Zack, Aerith's first love, was the model for Cloud's "ex-SOLDIER" persona, and the two became friends because Zack bought her flowers. Her fondness for Cloud stemmed from how his behavior resembled Zack's.
(After Crisis Core, the way the two met has been retconned)
⑤Aerith's First Love
The Man Whose Fate Was Deeply Entwined with Aerith and Cloud
Zack, Aerith's first love, himself also had a fondness for Aerith. He would go for walks with Aerith while selling the flowers she grew, and in a short time the two built a close relationship.
⑥First Love
A cheerful, lively First Class SOLDIER who was good with people; he was Aerith's first love, and also a good friend of Cloud. For Cloud, suffering from mako poisoning, he too supported him to the very end as a "friend."
The Person She Liked
①Two People With Mutual Affection
Zack ←fondness→ Aerith
② Zack's feelings for Aerith
A man deeply connected to both Aerith and Cloud's fates
Zack, Aerith's first love, also had feelings for Aerith himself. He once sold the flowers she grew while strolling together with her, and in a shorttime they built a close relationship.
③ The love of an ordinary girl
Q: Do you think the Aerith you voiced in the previous titles differs from the Aerith in this work?
[Maaya Sakamoto]: I feel that this work has more lines than ever that express her innocent, carefree personality. There are also all sorts of playful scenes, so I recorded them while looking forward to them. In Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, I strongly felt Aerith's mysteriousness and maternal nature, whereas in Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII, an ordinary girl's love is portrayed, which makes her feel much more approachable. This time, after overcoming so many hardships, she has become stronger, and in order not to be beaten by fate, I believe she is cheerful and full of energy.
④ Aerith in love
"When you're in love, it's really so much fun. It's like having a split personality. You know what I mean, right?"
"Huh?"
"Because, Aerith, you're the same, aren't you? See, sometimes you giggle to yourself, and sometimes you just space out."
Giggling? Spacing out?
"Do I... do that?"
“The staff members are all saying it. That Aerith Gainsborough is in love。”
"Whaaat!?"
That night, Aerith tossed and turned in bed, replaying in her mind the person she had been since meeting Zack.
During the days when they couldn't meet, her longing kept piling up, and just imagining the moment of their reunion made the corners of her mouth turn up on their own. She wondered what she should talk about, and dreamed about where they would go.
"Uwaaah, uwaaah!" She buried her face in the pillow and couldn't help crying out.
Zack often came to visit the church. Sometimes he came day after day, and sometimes several days would pass between visits. The time they spent together was always short and hurried. After seeing him off, she would start looking forward to the next time. Will I get to see him today? She spent the days they couldn't meet holding onto that hope, and when it fell through, the hope gradually turned into frustration. She thought that next time they met, she would let it all out on him. She pictured the scene in her mind.
Zack would probably accept it all, and then apologize with a laugh.
But these ups and downs of emotion always vanished the instant she saw Zack. His words would pour out like flowing water, making Aerith laugh and filling her with admiration. Even when he teased her, she couldn't get angry. And so, she grew more and more greedy. She couldn't help imagining the sight of Zack saying "Well, see you later" and turning to leave. Even though he was right there in front of her, so happy, so joyful, in a corner of her laughing heart, the self who imagined today coming to an end and felt lonely sat hugging her knees, muttering quietly, "Notice me, please."
"So that's the kind of person I am, huh. Back then, I was always afraid. Zack changed me. Even the way the world looked changed. Though saying that might be a bit of an exaggeration!"
⑤ Reporting to her foster mother that she has someone she likes
About a month after meeting Zack. Aerith and her foster mother Elmyra were eating dinner together, just the two of them. It was a chili bean stew that a neighbor had shared with them, very popular in the Sector 7 slums. Simple, and delicious. Had Zack ever eaten this? Had he ever been to Sector 7? She moved her chopsticks while thinking about such things.
Sensing a gaze, she looked up and found Elmyra watching her with a worried expression.
"Hm?"
"Lately the house has felt strangely quiet, and it turns out it's you who has become quiet. You always seem to be lost in thought. What's going on?"
Aerith didn't know how to bring it up. But ever since Tsubaki had asked her, there was something weighing on her mind. She wanted to hear the opinion of someone other than Tsubaki. What about Elmyra? She was an adult; surely she had plenty of experience. The problem was, she hadn't yet mentioned anything about Zack to her.
"I'm not trying to force it out of you. But this past month, you've always seemed absent-minded. Is something troubling you?"
Seeing Elmyra's worried face, Aerith felt a pang in her heart. Surely this wasn't something that needed to be kept hidden.
"You see, I have someone I like now."
Elmyra froze for a moment, then smiled.
"Is that so? Oh my, I see. So that's what it was. And then? What kind of person is he?"
"His name is Zack. What kind of person... hmm, a very energetic person."
Elmyra burst out laughing.
"He's funny to talk to, and he knows so many things I don't."
"That must be nice. Is he older than you?"
"Probably... older than me, I think."
"What does he do? He has a job, right?"
"The Self-Defense Corps."
"The one in Sector 5?"
"He said it's Sector 3!"
"What's his specialty? Is he a volunteer?"
"Uh, I didn't ask."
The lie came out with surprising ease.
⑥ Having someone she likes
Are you doing well?
I'm doing fine.
Today, believe it or not, I sold out all the flowers by morning!
The man from the sweets shop bought every single one.
He even treated me to a sweet, fluffy cake,
and we chatted a lot in his shop.
He asked me, "Is there someone you like?",
and I answered "There is", and he smiled and said, "That was a quick answer."
That's the kind of day it was.
Well then, talk to you next time.
⑦ Liking Zack
Every time it begins with "Are you doing well? I'm doing fine," but that's more like a charm or spell, and it doesn't really have much to do with whether Zack is truly well or whether I am. I simply want to believe you're well, and I want to keep myself "well" too. But today, I couldn't help thinking about it. Thinking about the possibility that Zack might "not be well." It hurts to imagine what it would be like if Zack were not well. And not only that—if he is well but we still can't reach him, the reason for that is just as painful. What am I supposed to do with this feeling?
It was meant to tell me that Zack is living safely, wasn't it. That must be it. And he wants me to think about why, though he's safe, there's been no word from him.
I've thought about this countless times already. I just refuse to admit it. If it's truly over, I only want you to say it to me yourself.
Ending like this, with everything left unclear. Just writing this down is painful.
It must be because I like Zack. I remember all the fun things. All the happy things, I remember them all too. Does time really turn everything into beautiful memories?
Ah, in the end I still feel it—I may never see you again.
⑧ The face I like
Are you doing well?
Zack, listen to me. I feel like I've grown stronger. Toward the people, the monsters, and the things that want to hurt me, I've begun to have the courage to face them myself. Not running away, but choosing to face them.
I realized that I can help others.
With my staff, materia, and magic.
And, with courage.
I was surprised at how I've changed.
Hey, Zack.
That face full of confidence you sometimes show. And that smug face that I like, but looking back, find a little annoying.
Maybe I'm wearing that kind of expression right now.
Want to see it? If you do...
⑨ Liking the Shinra SOLDIER who carries the giant sword
If this woman before him was a descendant of the Cetra, watched over not only by the Gainsborough family but even by the Turks of the Shinra Company—what would Conrad think? And what would he think if he knew the man she liked was a Shinra SOLDIER carrying a giant sword?
The time for honesty has passed. The facts left unspoken, the lies and concealments keep piling up, and from now on she must keep living while carrying her secrets. The only one she could confide everything to, with nothing hidden, was Zack alone.
⑩ Zack doesn't waver
Q: Did you intend to depict Zack wavering between Cissnei and Aerith?
【Nojima】: No, that won't happen. I wanted Cissnei to appear as a character who could encourage Zack—who had become somewhat worn down after going through all sorts of events—by telling him "You are not alone." Cissnei herself feels lonely too, or rather, she is also someone who suffers because missions come first, but I think she's the kind of person who, even in those moments, never forgets the kindness and way of seeing things that a human being ought to have. The story is full of people with a very harsh, cutthroat air (laughs), and Aerith, who is in charge of showing the gentle side, stays shut away in the slums, so Cissnei appears as just that kind of character: someone with such motives who can also offer gentle encouragement.
Someone dear, irreplaceable, someone who should be protected
① The sky takes away those who are dear
The sky, I really hate it. Because it takes away those who are dear。
② Zack is something precious to Aerith
【Cloud】: What's the name? I'll probably know it
As if about to speak something precious, Aerith spoke the man's name aloud。
③ The sky that takes away those who are dear
Q: At the end of the first part's finale, Aerith murmurs "The sky, I hate it"—what is the deeper meaning behind this?
【Nomura】: For Aerith, the sky is a symbol of sorrow. Zack, who is dear to her, and her mother Ifalna were taken away by the sky, the sky over the slums is covered by Shinra, and Jenova, who brought calamity to the Cetra, also came from the sky. It is precisely because of these scenes that Aerith says she doesn't like the sky.
④ A woman who is dear
In place of Zack, who never returned from Nibelheim, he looked after her the woman who was dear to him, Aerith. That e-mail carried Consul's deep friendship. He had also kept protecting Aerith, in keeping with a promise made as her former guardian with Zack. Also, in FF7, the reason Aerith sold flowers from a basket instead of a cart is that her cart had broken, and she didn't want anyone other than Zack to fix it。
⑤ Parting with the Most Important Person
This is a choker-style long necklace from a faraway, different world. The girl who wears it is said to be a survivor of the "Cetra"; when equipped, it dispels dark forces and enhances the power of holy light magic. It was worn when she parted with the person most important to her and took a new step forward, representing her resolve.
⑥ Each Other's Irreplaceable Existence
The girl who bloomed like a flower in Zack's heart
A pitiable girl living with her adoptive mother in the Sector 5 slums. She is pure and innocent, yet also gives off a mysterious air that seems to see through everything. She has lived a turbulent life: hunted by Shinra as a Cetra, her father killed 20 days after her birth and she herself imprisoned in the Shinra Building, and losing her birth mother at age seven. Even so, her cheerful, upbeat words and actions give no hint of her tragic circumstances. After her fated encounter with Zack, they became each other's irreplaceable existence。
⑦ Irreplaceable Existences, Something Like Friendship
The girl Aerith, whom he met in the slum church. Her pure and single-minded affection for Zack gradually made her into Zack's irreplaceable existence.
⑧ A Feeling Similar to Friendship
The girl said she was afraid of the sky. She said that when she looked up at the sky stretching far into a sea of stars, she felt as if she would be sucked in...... That was why she lived in the slums covered by the plate. "It's not normal. It's strange," the girl said, lonely.
"Being normal is boring"—so Zack answered. It's unknown whether he truly thought so. He had already been caught up in plenty of unusual events. But he wanted to comfort her. He dearly wanted to smooth away the loneliness hidden behind the liveliness and brightness of this unusual girl who had suddenly appeared, and cheer her up.
The girl who helped Zack after he crashed from the plate into the slum church in Sector 5—her name was Aerith. Still retaining innocence in her movements and expressions, her encounter with Zack, was a mirror of another encounter, years later, on this land of blooming flowers。
Yes. This encounter carried great meaning. Zack promised to show Aerith that the sky was not something to fear, and proposed selling the flowers she raised in upper Midgar. Aerith responded in kind, and projected her sky into the blue eyes of the soldier。Rather than calling it romance, it was a seed of mutual attraction—both still too immature for that—something similar to friendship... In a future they could not have imagined, that faint seed of hope sprouted. It was the encounter before the tragedy, one that sparked the battle to save the planet—.
⑨ The One Who Should Be Protected
