To LunarTarotGirl, and everyone, I'm sorry I can't give you any better answers or provide deep and enlightening insights
I can be quite simple sometimes and simply enjoy things in the moment. The dream date I think was kind of bitter sweet because of the end of the world, the Zack factor, and Aerith's future looming, but I still enjoy it in the moment, I enjoyed Cloud holding his hand open for Aerith to take, that he seemed annoyed he didn't get to give the gift he picked, I enjoyed eating bad candy together, making a memory, Cloud getting excited at seeing a photographer, them making goofy poses and smiles when you switch between the options, the hug, etc
These might be little moments of fanservice and nothing more, while the overarching message is different, but I appreciate them. I don't think the devs or staff would be unhappy bringing moments of simple joy to people. I don't think they wanted people to have a bad time.
I now have over 134 hours on Rebirth, I am currently working on Nibelheim World Intel, I have completed World Intel everywhere else except one relic quest in Corel. I also still have most of the side quests to do, the Queen's blood stuff, most of Gold Saucer, Johnny, beat Chapters on Hard mode, etc. Absolutely massive game, it's amazing.
I recently completed the "Absence of a Sign" quest, I enjoyed it, I also enjoyed the flowers quest in the Grasslands. I have been making Aerith quests my priority currently because she is my main and I want to get her folio/manuscripts for her upgrades so I have been doing the ones where you get extra Telluric scripture on Hard mode as well. Otherwise I do some where I don't have a weapon skill yet like Bonds of Trust weapon for Yuffie or the Weaponsmith for Barret, etc. Well I'm having a lot of fun
Oh yeah I forgot to add, while exploring Nibel region my team is Cloud, Tifa, Aerith of course!