It's moreso that I think that the emotional pivotal moments of the story can work regardless whether or not there are romantic feelings involved with either girl. I say a canon confirmation would weaken the story because that would narrow the interpretations of certain scenes down to only one valid one, and thus there would be less speculation and interpretation to be had about different meanings.
One thing to note is that you mention Tifa and Cloud having sex underneath the Highwind (which only happens in the OG thus far). We'll see how part 3 portrays that scene, but in the OG there were different versions of that scene that played out depending on your points with Tifa throughout the game. One implies there was sex, the other was more ambiguous in what occurred.
Deep emotional bonds aren't inherently romantic, even if they're intimate. Even if Cloud was trying to impress Tifa, it could be read as only platonic to some.
If LTD is about canonicity, then doesn't that mean that once there is confirmation of canon one way or the other, that this thread is officially closed and everyone packs their bags and goes home?
One reason that I say it would weaken the story if there were confirmation either way is that it would impact the people here who enjoy this debate like you, because then there would be no debate at all. Which begs the question of why you would insist on debating it if it was confirmed canon.
Personally, I do want the LTD to end, regardless of which girl is picked. Debating is all well and good but there does need to be some sort of conclusion. A debate that lasts the end of time is actually not fulfilling at all. Why debate if there is no answer in the first place?
The worst part of it is that it actually promotes more flame wars than it does a healthy discussion. Many of the aforementioned CTs and CAs use bad faith arguments that inevitably piss off the other side. If a lane is picked and decided, one side does lose. But that at least opens it up to be done for good and they can peacefully enjoy their ship in fanon, again regardless of which girl is picked.
Sometimes, people just want closure.
I respect your stance but I actually disagree. And to be honest, I think it's perfectly understandable why you have your stance, it's just not I something want.
As for platonic argument, the issue I have with this is everything that comes after the OG. If Cloud is to live with Tifa in a family unit, with Denzel and Marlene, then the idea that they are platonic kind of makes it hard to swallow. Tifa will never be able to actually move on a find someone else if Cloud's around because she will always think she has a chance with him. And I think we are kidding ourselves if we think Tifa only likes Cloud platonically. It actually kind of muddies their whole dynamic post-AC, in my opinion. It's unreal to think that Cloud would continue to live with her while still being interested in reuniting with Aerith, seems very unfair and also romanticizes the idea that one can never have a fulfilling life with another person if a loved one dies. Which ultimately, I do not think is the message of FF7.
That's just my perspective.
A goodly number of the folk in this thread don't hate anyone at all, just their facetious horse shit. Those of us who do feel real hate, hate the CAltists who shovel said horse shit, not Cleriths.
