SPOILERS LTD Remake — It's like New Coke except ... no, it's exactly like New Coke

[Rin]

You know, I think it was after the Johnny thing in the scrapyard when Tifa says, "Cloud your eyes" and Cloud goes all, "It's the mako~ all SOLDIER have them~". And Tifa gives this sigh and says something, "Right. SOLDIER." Which I took as that she likes Cloud but then she gets reminded all over again that he's SOLDIER now.

Yup and that scene is an exact juxtaposition to Aerith who leans in to look at his eyes bc they're pretty. Again, highlighting that Tifa doesn't like SOLDIER Cloud while Aerith does. The latter is great for Clouds ego but not great for building a sustainable romantic relationship. Not to mention, there's no guarantee that Aerith would be romantically attracted to the real Cloud anyways and there's the pesky issue that real Cloud only has eyes for Tifa.

This is why Aerith's "You can't fall in love with me and even if you think you have, it's not real" line is very important for both characters. IF Cloud has fallen in love with her (which seems not to be the case anyway), his feelings are coming from his fake persona as the real him is in love with someone else. IF Aerith has fallen in love with Cloud (which also seems not to be the case as she's unsure of how she feels about him by the end of Rebirth), her feelings are for a version of him that doesn't actually exist and is partially based on the man she's still deeply in love with.

The narrative is pretty clear on where Cloud and Aerith stand, which is exactly why Aerith says she knows where they stand now at the end of the dream date. If anything, I find the writing kind of insulting because I feel like they're holding my hand and being like "See? Cloud and Aerith are just two confused people who are both in love with someone else!" And I'm like "YEAH, I KNOW." But .... given the fact that the LTD remains, I guess I understand why they did it that way--not that it seems to have changed anything at all.

 

[Ryeleigh]

If anything, I find the writing kind of insulting because I feel like they're holding my hand and being like "See? Cloud and Aerith are just two confused people who are both in love with someone else!" And I'm like "YEAH, I KNOW." But .... given the fact that the LTD remains, I guess I understand why they did it that way--not that it seems to have changed anything at all.

I can't say I'm exactly fond of writing to the "lowest common determinator" either but I guess the devs felt it was necessary, lol. (Someone should've told them it would be useless anyway, lmao.)

Again, highlighting that Tifa doesn't like SOLDIER Cloud while Aerith does.

Also, to add: when Cloud gets back to his room after the mission with Jessie, they talk about the promise and he tells Tifa that an old friend of his has gotten in trouble and he promised to be there for her. And Tifa gets all giggly and says she's glad he's back. It's as if she realised at that moment that her Cloud is still in there, you know?

 

[Ryushikaze]

Unless it's something like this (which the one in the CA date is demonstrably not), then no, hard disagree that sitting apart is a romantic trope.
Edit: A little late to that party, but I just caught up haha

Aaw Tim and Colette, lol. I played that too, haha.

Anyway you can see why sitting at a distance doesn't bother me, especially giving the Ultimanias say they have a thing of being at a distance then getting closer.

Worth noting is that there's another scene in FF7 (OG only thus far) with the exact same staging and almost the exact same dialogue.
The morning after the Highwind Scene.

Tifa: Give me a little longer... Just a little bit longer...
Tifa: This day will never come again... So let me have this moment...

IMHO they could have avoided this by having Tifa and Red handle the Gongaga stuff rather than Cloud bringing up romance and Aerith being like wow you really went there and all that boy you like is a dead loser, if they wanted the party concerned about Aerith, much better ways of handling it.

As has been addressed, for various reasons you need Cloud to be the one to say it there because it shows he does not remember or care about Zack at this moment and feeds into his later memory of Zack and feeling terrible about what he said before, but also into the girls discussing Cloud (and Zack) in private at various times during the game. This moment exists as a love triangle neutral moment, a blank slate to be filled in with assumption now, and then realization later.

 

[Sacky]

https://www.reddit.com/r/FinalFantasyVII/s/CGNom43AMH

Someone here is trying to say the line "Barret helped Tifa and Cloud build Their home then left on a journey" includes Barret as having the bar as his home. I would have thought the sentence if that was the case would be "helped build their home together" am I wrong here?

 

[Eerie]

Please people stop posting so I can answer lol.

Yeah, I think so to...BUT, that's my interpreting that line. They could have been concrete about it.

English speakers are weird. They need so much confirmation when it's all there lol. I'm gonna say it because Nomura says that if we look at the story then the player might feel he has no choice but Tifa. Which means the fact that there is no branching path equals to it being Tifa being the true love interest.

Also at some point we have so many confirmations through the various Ultis AND even the devs talking about the under the HW scene that you'd think all of that would have settled this LTD for once and al.

Imagine being Tifa, having all these heart to hearts with Aerith, helping her with her pain over Zack, talking about boys, you have a date at the GS with Cloud, you then almost kiss him in Gongaga, Aerith is all supportive telling you it'll be alright, you go back to the GS, you kiss Cloud. And then suddenly when no one is watching Aerith uses her ancient powers to go on a dream date with Cloud and following Clerith interpretations confess her feelings to him......I can say it in no other way than FUCK this woman. Right now I can still find some reasons to give Aerith the benefit of the doubt, mostly the fact that I think Aerith is desperately projecting her feelings for Zack onto Cloud even during the dream date, and is only doing it because she knows this is the end and she wants closure. Aka, she is in no way trying to get between Cloud and Tifa here, she knows that there is no outcome to this date that would result in Tifa being hurt since even IF they both had feelings for each other, that date would still be the end of it and Cloud would go on to Tifa.

I think this is exactly why some CTs really dislike Aerith.

Personally I think they took out Tifa's jealousy because there was no reason anymore, since they developped the CT relationship this much in Rebirth. Like Cloud keeps showing her he is very much into her, so she needn't to worry.

As for Aerith, the fact that she knows no social cues is probably why she keeps taking Cloud to "dates", that's the only reason I can think of; after all she's been sheltered and had no friend up until well, Zack and later on the whole gang. So to her it's a discovery and she caught feelings on the way.

EDIT- I think if they wanted to show a tale of friends, they could have avoided the LT entirely, not presented Aerith as an option whatsoever, really make Aerith a long lost sibling, half sister or something, etc. I would say a lot of CAs aren't playing to be told psyche gotcha it's friends isn't that great lol, I imagine the reaction is something like the Bugs Bunny meme with "No", like just don't bait in the first place.

Aerith in the OG falls for Cloud, so it was always going to be present since the Remake trilogy is a reimagining of the OG.

But then again Welonz completely missed the subtext that Aerith was into Cloud until the dream date (she had Yuffie for the GS date), while also doing all the sidequests. Which leads very much into the "we are looking at this knowing that Aerith falls for Cloud, so we search for clues, but if new players aren't able to tell that Aerith is into Cloud, maybe Cloud himself isn't able to tell Aerith is into him either".

As I see it personally, CA serves Aerith's character, but Cloud's character suffers from it, generally speaking. It does not make him look good if you think he fell in love with a girl in 18 days and that erased his deep love for Tifa that grew over the years. This is why I'll be personally out if this ever happens, because I refuse to see Tifa being trampled on like this. Aerith already has a grand love story, it would be pretty unfair to get a second one, take from Tifa's role and get away with it, especially considering ACC, to our knowledge, still happens. As I often say, if the goal was to have CA as a the canon ending, they wouldn't need a Tifa to remain by the hero's side until the end.

But Aerith's character is probably an exploration of the "death" theme; I have already noted it in Remake, but she sees (and isn't afraid of) ghosts, she can't move on from Zack (and goes out of her way to save him IMHO), she is alluded to die. So in Rebirth she has to try again to move on from Zack (and doesn't fully move on either), her ancestors are all dead, and she dies herself. If in Remake and Rebirth she connected to Cloud through Zack, in p3 she will reconnect to Zack through Cloud I think. And that's why we also see her feelings, even if they bring confusion to her and sadness. One-sided feelings often bring a lot of depth to characters and I think that's what's happening to Aerith there. So not everything is in vain.

You know, I think it was after the Johnny thing in the scrapyard when Tifa says, "Cloud your eyes" and Cloud goes all, "It's the mako~ all SOLDIER have them~". And Tifa gives this sigh and says something, "Right. SOLDIER." Which I took as that she likes Cloud but then she gets reminded all over again that he's SOLDIER now.

Rather than that, I think Tifa was pointing out at the coldness in his eyes (that scares her), and Cloud misinterpreted and thought she was talking about their colour. IIRC that's hinted at in French and JP.

 

[Ryeleigh]

But then again Welonz completely missed the subtext that Aerith was into Cloud until the dream date (she had Yuffie for the GS date), while also doing all the sidequests. Which leads very much into the "we are looking at this knowing that Aerith falls for Cloud, so we search for clues, but if new players aren't able to tell that Aerith is into Cloud, maybe Cloud himself isn't able to tell Aerith is into him either".

And shippers generally view everything through a romantic/sexual lens so if you already like CA for whatever reason (OG, KH, visuals, etc) then you're already kind of primed to view everything about them romantically. Which is why I was curious what's the most common starting point of interpretation for CAs, lol.

Rather than that, I think Tifa was pointing out at the coldness in his eyes (that scares her), and Cloud misinterpreted and thought she was talking about their colour. IIRC that's hinted at in French and JP.

Oh no, I know that. I meant her sigh and "Right. SOLDIER" after the eye comments. As if she's saying, "Right. You're a SOLDIER now." Edit: It's like, Tifa likes Cloud but she'd like to forget he's SOLDIER, lol.

 

[abzy1200]

I'd honestly argue that in the OG, Clerith was an absolute bait.

It was a time where Aerith projecting feelings for Zack onto Cloud (atleast at the start) was alluded to, but Aerith's history with Zack and Zack himself were hardly elaborated upon, even including very missable scenes. So on a first playthrough of the OG, most probably wouldn't make much of it.

The devs had half the time to develop Aerith's character compared to everyone else's, and that's a huge issue because the player is supposed to warm up to Aerith the most so that her death can have the most impact it can on the player.

On a first playthrough of the OG, it does look like a romance between Cloud and Aerith. Aerith being the love interest would make her death have more impact, so they kept that charade up to get the player interested in Cloud and Aerith to maximise how tragic her death is (atleast on a first reading of the game, her death is far more tragic on a second playthrough and after Crisis Core, but you couldn't really have had this context on a first playthrough in '97). I think there's a quote from Nomura that says something along those lines, not necessarily that she's a love interest, but that they had limited time to explore her character.

Essentially, it's a textbook bait-and-switch (that many still haven't realized happened), that's why in the second half there's a sequence of events that recontextualises literally everything about Cloud's actions, revealing Cloud only has eyes for Tifa. It's why that sequence of events isn't before Aerith's death and is in the second half of the game, because by that point Cloud and Aerith's 'romance' has already served it's purpose of (atleast attempting) impacting you, and you've had your cry over their 'tragic' romance.

 

[Maidenofwar]

I really don't think ZA is that a great love story, especially since ff7 is not Zack's game, is why I don't trust them to have even half as much as CA did in Re-trilogy. I don't think part 3 will focus on romance for Aerith, no kiss, sex, etc for her. So for me CA already has almost kisses, lots of hand holding, full body hug, etc, I ate good, I don't think part 3 ZA would feed me as well since Zack isn't the focus, I don't expect part 3 to be hyper focused on romance, LS, HW scene aside.

Maybe I'm wrong

I will eat hat if Aerith gets kiss in part 3.

Edit: No, it is a great love story, that's not fair to definitely say it isn't, I don't mean that, but her love for two men, two great loves, isn't fulfilled/consummated.

 

[Stiggie]

I mean Aerith's scenes could have been more of the how are you and Tifa getting a long wink wink nudge nudge

Agreed, this is one of my main gripes with rebirth, aerith was like that in remake and it was far better imo.

she is alluded to die. So in Rebirth she has to try again to move on from Zack (and doesn't fully move on either), her ancestors are all dead, and she dies herself

She has to guide people to the promised land and "returns to the planet" her entire existence is foreshadowing lol

 

[Ryeleigh]

I really don't think ZA is that a great love story, especially since ff7 is not Zack's game, is why I don't trust them to have even half as much as CA did in Re-trilogy. I don't think part 3 will focus on romance for Aerith, no kiss, sex, etc for her. So for me CA already has almost kisses, lots of hand holding, full body hug, etc, I ate good, I don't think part 3 ZA would feed me as well since Zack isn't the focus, I don't expect part 3 to be hyper focused on romance, LS, HW scene aside.

Maybe I'm wrong

I will eat hat if Aerith gets kiss in part 3.

Edit: No, it is a great love story, that's not fair to definitely say it isn't, I don't mean that, but her love for two men, two great loves, isn't fulfilled/consummated.

Well, to be fair, even if ZA doesn't get all that much in Part 3, they already kind of had their own game, you know? (Which, admittedly, had its own limitations.) But I do think they'd get a hug at least. Though, I'm not at all opposed to a ZA kiss too. And come to think of it, ZA did get a handhold beyond worlds in Rebirth so I'd say that counts for something, lol. And a hug in Crisis Core. Huh, a ZA kiss starting to look more likely, lmao.

And to be further fair, Crisis Core had its limitations which is why the devs couldn't put that much time into developing their relationship (which is honestly a shame. I wanted more, lol). Hence, the "love at first sight". They're also, what, 15-19 in Crisis Core? So it's not at all surprising that they didn't get anything physical (aside from a hug) for their love. I don't think it's all that common in action shounen either? Because I... can't remember a single action shounen that has a kiss? And kisses aren't that common in shoujo either? Or maybe that was the '90s shoujo, I don't know.

 

[abzy1200]

I will eat hat if Aerith gets kiss in part 3.

If we're referring to a Clerith kiss, then for reasons stated here ad nauseam, the whole story would implode and actively become a bad fanfiction, so let's really hope not.

I really don't think ZA is that a great love story

Ironically, I think Zerith is good because of Clerith, it adds so many layers to Aerith and expands the tragedy of it all.

Agreed, this is one of my main gripes with rebirth, aerith was like that in remake and it was far better imo.

I swear she does at multiple points, though? On the clock tower where she instantly starts talking to Cloud about friends, essentially subtly telling Cloud to go apologize for his row with Tifa, for one.

And teasing him for always trying to catch a glimpse of Tifa on the water tower when he was younger, for two. Aerith is still kind of encouraging them.

It's definitely less profound than in Remake, but these are different Aeriths, technically, so that's probably why the behaviour is slightly different.

So it's not at all surprising that they didn't get anything physical (aside from a hug) for their love. I don't think it's all that common in action shounen either? Because I... can't remember a single action shounen that has a kiss? And kisses aren't that common in shoujo either? Or maybe that was the '90s shoujo, I don't know.

Oh yeah? Well then what's this!?

 

[Maidenofwar]

Yeah, the hug from behind from Aerith to comfort Zack was cute.

part 3, I'm gearing up for my least favourite version of Aerith, unplayable, AC goddess materia jesus mode, distant spiritual protector, mysterious guide. Possibly Sephiroth/Jenova toys the party with another more interactive Aerith to confuse the player, etc but I don't know.

 

[abzy1200]

I think I'd have to agree with you there. I'm not a huge fan of the route they took with Aerith in the re;trilogy, I like it more when she's just as human as everyone else, and not playing 4d chess with the villain.

That's why I think I'll always prefer the Aerith that was depicted in the OG.

EDIT: It's also where most of my qualms with the re;trilogy come from. I loved Aerith in the OG, so it upsets me to see her characterized the way she is in the re;trilogy.

 

[Ryeleigh]

Oh yeah? Well then what's this!?

Oh yeah, that kiss! The most famous shounen kiss of all time! lmao. XD

part 3, I'm gearing up for my least favourite version of Aerith, unplayable, AC goddess materia jesus mode, distant spiritual protector, mysterious guide. Possibly Sephiroth/Jenova toys the party with another more interactive Aerith to confuse the player, etc but I don't know.

I don't know. Since I think Zack is going to be there, I can see his character keeping Aerith grounded as a human. I mean, it's kind of difficult to be a distant goddess mother figure if you're working out relationship tangles with your boyfriend? And I think a part of the reason why she's a distant goddess mother figure in ACC is that she isn't quite there (obviously). She doesn't actually interact with anyone and if she doesn't interact with anyone it's difficult to depict her as human, so to speak.

But really, who knows. I'm not going to predict anything about Part 3, lol.

 

[Stiggie]

I really don't think ZA is that a great love story, especially since ff7 is not Zack's game, is why I don't trust them to have even half as much as CA did in Re-trilogy. I don't think part 3 will focus on romance for Aerith, no kiss, sex, etc for her. So for me CA already has almost kisses, lots of hand holding, full body hug, etc, I ate good, I don't think part 3 ZA would feed me as well since Zack isn't the focus, I don't expect part 3 to be hyper focused on romance, LS, HW scene aside.

Maybe I'm wrong

I will eat hat if Aerith gets kiss in part 3.

Edit: No, it is a great love story, that's not fair to definitely say it isn't, I don't mean that, but her love for two men, two great loves, isn't fulfilled/consummated.

This is very much YMMV I think. I do consider Zerith to be one of the best love stories in FF at least, and I find that whenever I think about how CA would be as a love story that I think it's the most ill-written trash conceivable, and yet CA seemingly still has a bunch of people who absolutely love it, or describe it as a perfect romance, despite me thinking even Twilight is more tightly written...but then again, twilight also has millions of fans so as I said, this really is YMMV.

I would say though that it's wrong to look at Zerith or Clerith in isolation to determine if it's a great love story. Because there is more at play. With Clerith Zack and Tifa still exist. And Clerith can ONLY be a good love story if those other elements are also well written, if THE ENTIRE GAME is well written. The story must fit with the entire game, chekovs gun essentially states than anything not neccesary for the story needs to be cut....but in the Clerith version of the story the entire character of Tifa isn't really necessary. CA is poorly written because if it were true FFVII in its entirety wouldn't work. Similarly one of the reasons why Zerith is a great love story is that it's not Zerith, it's Zerith + Cloti.
Forget labels, It's the love story of "Cloud, Tifa, Aerith and Zack" that's amazingly written if we follow the story as presented by Clotis and Zeriths.
And it's the love story of "Cloud, Tifa, Aerith and Zack" that is half-assed if we follow the story as presented by Cleriths. Sure, Cloud and Aerith might have a few cute scenes that work if you ignore context, and if that context simply didn't exist it might be a good love story. Hell, I could write a version of this story where I remove Tifa and Zack and change the context and a bunch of other things that would be very good....but the context DOES exist, and with said context Clerith just isn't fit for consumption imo.

Yeah, the hug from behind from Aerith to comfort Zack was cute.

This, honestly, is one of my favorite romantic moments in fiction period. I find it hard to describe why, but it just has a believability to it that I find extremely endearing. Aerith first just talking trying to get Zacks mind off it. Zack being there, not to talk to her or anything but simply to find solace in the presence of the woman he loves. It just feels eminently plausible as something a man would do, not ask for direct help, but a comforting presence. And then Aerith just acknowledging that with no words being spoken by her no longer talking but hugging him and letting him feel her warmth. That back hug is everything to me and just gave me a sense of natural intimacy that I've never seen between Aerith and Cloud.

 

[Ryushikaze]

Well, to be fair, even if ZA doesn't get all that much in Part 3, they already kind of had their own game, you know? (Which, admittedly, had its own limitations.) But I do think they'd get a hug at least. Though, I'm not at all opposed to a ZA kiss too. And come to think of it, ZA did get a handhold beyond worlds in Rebirth so I'd say that counts for something, lol. And a hug in Crisis Core. Huh, a ZA kiss starting to look more likely, lmao.

And to be further fair, Crisis Core had its limitations which is why the devs couldn't put that much time into developing their relationship (which is honestly a shame. I wanted more, lol). Hence, the "love at first sight". They're also, what, 15-19 in Crisis Core? So it's not at all surprising that they didn't get anything physical (aside from a hug) for their love. I don't think it's all that common in action shounen either? Because I... can't remember a single action shounen that has a kiss? And kisses aren't that common in shoujo either? Or maybe that was the '90s shoujo, I don't know.

She's 17 and he's 18 as of the Nibelheim Incident. As of his death they were 22 and 23.
Cloud is 21, Tifa is 20, for the record.

Barret is 35 at the start of the game and turns 36 without fanfare at some point during the rebirth segment.

 

[pxl_pushr]

She's 17 and he's 18 as of the Nibelheim Incident. As of his death they were 22 and 23.
Cloud is 21, Tifa is 20, for the record.

Barret is 35 at the start of the game and turns 36 without fanfare at some point during the rebirth segment.

Tbf by the time you’re 35, you’re birthday has lost its luster lol

Crazy to think how young some of these characters are, yet not as young as your typical JRPG protags.

 

[Eerie]

She has to guide people to the promised land and "returns to the planet" her entire existence is foreshadowing lol

She doesn't guide people to the promise land, she will get to the promise land, which was also an allusion to her death in the OG. Now, with what we're seeing in Rebirth... there are good chances that her promise land is the church with Zack in it.

I really don't think ZA is that a great love story

I understand what you mean, but ZA had quite many things that also suggest soulmates IMHO (the hand reach, but other visual effects too like staring at the sky to begin/end Zack's world sequence). But there are chances for a ZA kiss, even if I wouldn't bet on it - they could sweeten the deal since they couldn't put it in CC. Also FYI, peko once told me that back hugs in Japan are seen as extremely romantic so they had that, at least lol.

To me love story implies that both parties are in love with each other, and somehow that fails with CA because no matter how you look at the prettiness of the idea behind it: she doesn't know the true him, it's an illusion and their characters don't mesh that well together.

 

[abzy1200]

Barret is 35 at the start of the game and turns 36 without fanfare at some point during the rebirth segment.

#JusticeforBarret'sbirthday

 

[overheat28]

I'm of the opinion ZA received the most intimate, tender moment in the game right at the start. At least among the non-optional scenes. I would hesitate to put even Tifa GS date above it considering they both acted like awkward teens right after.

Zack does not. He knows how he views Aerith, its unequivocal. Yes, you could of course say that Aerith was unconscious but I guess the point was to cement Zack's feelings as Aerith's resolution would come later.

I was shocked that they decided to even open with Zack, let alone show what they did. After that, a kiss in p3 is not a far leap, imo. By virtue of the limited screentime, they are leaning into full cheese territory with ZA. CT has the time for a slow burn of sorts, ZA does not. And I don't see this changing in part 3. Expect more fireworks.

Taking out a helicopter, touching hands across the lifestream, jumping across worlds....mileage may vary of course, but Zack is trying his best and he's clearly not done yet

 

[pxl_pushr]

I'm of the opinion ZA received the most intimate, tender moment in the game right at the start. At least among the non-optional scenes. I would hesitate to put even Tifa GS date above it considering they both acted like awkward teens right after.

Zack does not. He knows how he views Aerith, its unequivocal. Yes, you could of course say that Aerith was unconscious but I guess the point was to cement Zack's feelings as Aerith's resolution would come later.

I was shocked that they decided to even open with Zack, let alone show what they did. After that, a kiss in p3 is not a far leap, imo. By virtue of the limited screentime, they are leaning into full cheese territory with ZA. CT has the time for a slow burn of sorts, ZA does not. And I don't see this changing in part 3. Expect more fireworks.

Taking out a helicopter, touching hands across the lifestream, jumping across worlds....mileage may vary of course, but Zack is trying his best and he's clearly not done yet

“Hang on baby, your hero is on the way!”

I think both CT and ZA will get quite a few romantic gestures by the time p3 wraps up. Not really gonna have time to dance around it with all that plot to get through.

 

[Maidenofwar]

Two other ideas I want to float (yeah I've had way too much caffeine this weekend )

*Back when the leaks came out, there was one fake leak that said Aerith and Zack went back in time and stopped Nibelheim incident from happening, how would people feel if they really did that?

*Kitase said they shouldn't forget to put an important scene in the game - most people thought he meant something nice, but what if it was like the original idea most of the cast dies while returning to Midgar?

Edit; Poor Serah/Snow, they never did get that wedding, I was a bit salty, ngl, after making it through all those games.

 

[Eerie]

I would hesitate to put even Tifa GS date above it considering they both acted like awkward teens right after.

Nah. Cloud and Tifa being shy dorks is in character, they're not acting like teens, they're acting like dorks who don't want others to pry on their intimate moment lol.

 

[Eerie]

*Back when the leaks came out, there was one fake leak that said Aerith and Zack went back in time and stopped Nibelheim incident from happening, how would people feel if they really did that?

The Nibelheim incident is the crux of the story, the reason why everything that happened happened. Basically Zack and Aerith would be saved and probably married let's be honest, I guess, but Cloud would never kill Sephiroth, never be injected with mako and become mako poisoned, Tifa would never save him. Maybe Cloud and Tifa would reunite in any other way (most probably during the event) and become a couple like this but it wouldn't be FFVII anymore. Cloud and Aerith would never meet, it would basically erase all Remake lol did people really think it was a possible leak?

In short you cannot touch the Nibelheim incident, or the story never happens.

*Kitase said they shouldn't forget to put an important scene in the game - most people thought he meant something nice, but what if it was like the original idea most of the cast dies while returning to Midgar?

People think it's something good because Kitase wants a good ending for these characters. So no it's not most of the party being killed when they go back to Midgar.

 

[abzy1200]

*Back when the leaks came out, there was one fake leak that said Aerith and Zack went back in time and stopped Nibelheim incident from happening, how would people feel if they really did that?

I'd go spare and burn anything I own that's ff7 related if this happened, honestly.

but what if it was like the original idea most of the cast dies while returning to Midgar?

Eh, I feel like it's kind of Aerith's thing, having more characters die would just distract from that

Cloud and Aerith would never meet, it would basically erase all Remake lol did people really think it was a possible leak?

I feel like they would, if Aerith is Zack's wife, and Zack is Cloud's best friend, it would be odd for him to never ever meet his best friend's wife, not once in his whole life.