Could someone summarize or describe Aerith and Zack's dynamic from Crisis Core? It's been a million years since I played, so I hardly remember anything about how their relatiip develops. It's clear Zack is on her mind in Rebirth but I feel like I'm missing a lot of context, especially in contrast to her dynamic with Cloud.
Just like what Nojima describes, they fall in love in the first sight. A romance that sparks quick.
Zack think Aerith turn down his one date offer, but she says "Yup" when he tease that she just wanna spend more time with him. Aerith consider this a date while Zack still think Aerith has no interest in him till he bought a ribbon. Here, Aerith is very initiative to lead Zack and he follows. She teases Zack all around, and we see in the DMW that she is mad at him.
Before they part, Zack use "us/ours" not "you and me" to describe their flower business. Which I feel he put Aerith into a relationship he sees the future with; not a mere going on several dates.
Other than their cuteness, they mirror in each others. We know that Aerith suffers loneliness because she's a weird girl then comes Zack who encourage her in everything. This is what Aerith EN VA said:
Zack gave Aerith permission to be not normal, goofy, sassy, silly and through loving him, she comes to embraced that part of her own personality we see her in FFVII Remake.
But Zack is lonely too after Angeal is gone. He may put a brave face to teach the new recruited SOLDIERS but his heart is not in Shinra anymore, questioning what does he fight for. In email, Kunsel notices his somber and offer Zack to talk with him, but he also notices that Zack meet Aerith a lot. It feels like Zack distancing himself from everyone in Shinra, even to his bestfriend, and only Aerith who could heal him (Nomura says Zack looks for healing in the church). Only to Aerith whom he could be himself, whether in strong or vulnerable self (like when he's crying over Angeal's death in her arms). This is what Aerith JP VA said
Zack and Aerith are similar in that behind their light, lies a loneliness they both carry, that perhaps was the point that resonates in Aerith.
Idk how to summarize it all lol. But as
@AncientGrimoire posted above; they bring the best of each others.