Yep. That's really the cruz of my tldr above. Tifa's story is inextricably tied with Cloud's. This doesn't mean she has less depth than Aerith or is a weaker character. It just means they hold different roles within the narrative. Aerith's romantic feelings, one-sided or otherwise, inform her...
I've been lurking this thread for about a week now — and really enjoying the various discussions across the board — but this comment inspired me to actually make an account. I've seen this perspective and the opposing one thrown around and I think it's a combination of different aspects that...