Tifa Asks Cloud About Aerith
Alrighty, so this is the third post for girl asking Cloud about other girl.
This one is a bit difficult to do, because the translation is apparently very different from what the Japanese version is.
So this will be based on the English version, but with notes about where there are apparent differences between Japanese and English - from what others have said. **Updated with more information on this**
So we fall in the sewers, it smells. Cloud gets up and notices both Tifa and Aerith are knocked out in front of him.
You have a choice - go to Tifa or go to Aerith first. This is also a callback to the OG when you fall in the sewers after Don Corneo, and they added the +1 to the “affection” rating on who’s resolution you’ll get, as they did in the OG for the Gold Saucer date.
I’m skipping the initial wakeup and going right to the Aerith part.
So Tifa looks at Aerith first, which prompts Cloud to look over. I’m not sure what this look Cloud is giving is...
“Aerith better not try to steal Tifa from me like everybody else. Except Barret, Barret doesn’t try to steal Tifa. Barret is cool.... don’t tell him I said that.”
Tifa, rightfully so, wants to know why this broad is following them around. Why would she just agree to help them with how dangerous everything they do is? What if she’s a spy for Shinra?
Cloud doesn’t seem to shaken by this question. Recall his reaction to Jessie (especially - blush blush blush how dare you ask about my Tender Memories™.. that no one can ever know) and Aerith when questioned about Tifa. And Jessie literally just asked how close him and Tifa were. Or when Zack asked if he knew Tifa how he reacted in CC. JUST ASKED IF HE KNEW HER.
Now, Aerith did save Cloud. Probably at least twice. There’s no way Zack or Cloud should have survived the fall in to the church. There’s some magic there. She also probably saved Tifa since she told Cloud WHY they needed to go to Wall Market to get Tifa. So, in turn, saved Cloud again.
Her look here isn’t one I’d say is jealousy, but her tone can come off that way, though. This is where things get funny between the English and Japanese scripts. In English, it’s almost asking if “something” is going on between him and Aerith, and a LOT of people would take this romantically.
In the Japanese version, Tifa asks him if they can trust Aerith.
Those are two VERY different statements. Especially since this scene in particular was a point of fighting for the LTD.
Thank you @magicalchemist for explaining this part and the actual phrases used. I’m copying from the comments section, so you can read them there as well:
“I want to add in Japanese Aerith is not the subject of the sentence. Tifa says Isn't that glossing over? Saved you how? She's saying Cloud is the one not telling her everything. Because in Japanese what he said implies that he was in some sort of crisis but he doesn't go further into it
Gomakashite can also mean Isn't that decieving so people can say she's thinking Aerith can't be trusted. But based on the actual words she says: Gomakashite nai? Doushite tasukeru suru no? There's literally nothing there that says she means Aerith. She says "How is saving" could also be "Why is saving" because doushite but if she was asking that I think she would ask for what reason she'd save you or something along those lines
I don't think she's suspicious of Aerith. I think she wants to know what Cloud needed saving from
*Doushite tasukete kureru kana?*
So yeah Isn't that glossing over/Isn't that decieving/Why is saving/how is saving. But the focus is on Cloud. I think given the context that she feels bad that she dragged Aerith in this it wouldn't really match for her to think Aerith is a spy. It sounds a lot more curious than suspicious in Japanese especially with "ka na" at the end
Also tasukeru save implies being saved from something dangerous or a crisis Cloud never actually went into it so she'd need a lot more details it makes sense to ask him. But based on what he said I don't think it makes sense for her to jump and assume Aerith is suspicious nor jealous he literally didn't give her any information. This is a case where the Japanese is completely different.”
So Cloud almost looks shocked that she’d ask him that. “Are you seriously asking me this right now?”
So he looks down a bit, but does NOT turn from her.
Updating this section too: Based on the above, these screenshots still make sense. Cloud doesn’t know how to react to what she’s asking him.
But let’s just say that the intent was to say “Sure there isn’t something else going on?”
Cloud is dense. He was dense in the OG and he’s dense in Remake. Hell, I’d say he’s pretty damn dense in everything he’s been in. It’s part of his dorky charm. He was completely oblivious to both girls’ feelings in OG - that has been confirmed over and over. He’s dense.
In Remake he’s not only dense, but also somewhat awkward. I’m not even sure he would understand exactly what she’s asking here. “What do you mean something else?”
If something WAS going on, I’d expect a similar reaction to what we saw with Aerith’s is Tifa your girlfriend question. He gets worked up and defensive. In this he’s just like “uh... no.... what?”
So, Cloud is STILL looking at Tifa during this. He does not turn from her. He somewhat diverts his eyes to do a side glance towards Aerith, which I’d expect, but at no point does he turn away from her to hide his face or body.
I’d also like to point out, that Tifa doesn’t really look upset here. Worried, yes. She has her hands behind her back, though. She’s not closing herself off from him.
At this point, Aerith wakes up and interrupts the conversation. Then Corneo’s pet comes.
