Sooooo you gonna play the game just for your ship?
Lol, I’m sorry... But please tell me someone from the fandom that literally threw a tantrum because y'all thought T*fa went from a XXX cup to a “small” size, isn’t trying to preach to me right now? Get over yourself.
Cloud’s love story is the other half of his story. I’d argue it’s the most IMPORTANT part of his story. It’s crucial for his character development, his portrayal, his relationships, and the overall story of FF7.
If they altered Clerith or removed their love, it won’t be the same story. You can go ahead and delude yourself into thinking that FF7 wasn’t about love and loss. It was. It was inspired partially by Sakaguchi losing his mother. Then evolved into a story specifically about turning the romantic trope of a man dying for the woman he loves on its head (i.e. making it the woman that dies for the man they love). Every cameo Cloud’s had since 1997 has been about Cloud getting to the Promised Land to find the “person” he searches for. Advent Children and the novels were all about Cloud dealing with her death and his feelings for her.
Cloud’s whole damn character revolves around her. FFT, KH, Mobius, Dissidia, Advent Children, Case of T*fa, World of Final Fantasy... none of these would have reason to exist without AERITH’S impact on Cloud.
Cloud wouldn’t have gone to Shinra Headquarters if not to rescue Aerith. Cloud wouldn’t have stayed in AVALANCHE if not for Aerith. He wouldn’t have cared for the Planet if not for Aerith. Barret himself, the man that’s been around Cloud and T*fa, is even surprised that Cloud can finally show concern for someone other than himself... and it’s AERITH that Cloud’s doing that for. Cloud would have given up to save the Planet had he not realized that it would mean Aerith died in vain. The FF30th event even said that it’s AERITH that helps bring him closer to understanding himself. Advent Children would have never happened had it not been for Cloud’s feelings for Aerith.
Again, Cloud’s whole story (at least the parts that drive him) are about Aerith.
Even as late as 2018, Cloud’s story has been linked directly to Aerith. These are from the FF30th-anniversary celebration, specifically the gallery Nojima and the others created specifically for FF7R:
Please notice the lack of your waifu and how it attributes Cloud finding out his own truth to being because of AERITH’s positive influence in his life. Please notice the sentence: "The story follows the lead character Cloud, but it is the heroine, Aerith who opens Cloud's eyes and helps bring him closer to understanding the mystery that is his past. THROUGH HER, we draw closer to the truth of the story.”
FF7R’s own description says Cloud meets “her” and is offered a yellow flower... the meaning of that flower being REUNION.
Again, notice the lack of your waifu and the way Square is attributing hanakotoba to Cloud and Aerith’s reunion.
Then there’s this:
“their story” “their fates intertwine”
The first trailer after 5 years was Cloud and Aerith’s meeting.
How much more do you need this spelled out to you?
Removing Cloud’s love for Aerith alters not just the story, but who he is and what his motivations are. And now because you opened your mouth, I’m going to write up a longer essay about this topic.