Hey, I just came across one of your tweets regarding CoM's description of Cloud searching for "someone important (taisetsuna)". There, it's also written : "...but at some point he lost memory of that person?" I always think it means Aerith because that's what SQEN always describes her for Cloud, but what does it mean by "he lost memory of that person"? Does that mean Cloud forgot about her at some point? CoM was after KH1 and they're reunited in KH1, so what's with Cloud's description in CoM?
Well, from what I understand. None of the interactions Sora has with any FF characters (or at all) in CoM are real. They’re part of Sora’s imagination, influenced by his memories. That’s why when he meets Aerith they don’t really know each other but they feel like they do (because Sora’s memories of Aerith are influencing figment!Aerith). The same can be said for Cloud. Cloud’s working with Hades again in CoM, because that’s what Sora remembered of him. Cloud’s looking for someone important in CoM, because that’s what Sora and Cloud’s only interaction was about. Cloud only lost his memory of that person in CoM because Sora never knew who Cloud was searching for.
Instead of an omniscient narrative, it’s Sora’s perspective. The story is limited to what Sora thought and knew.
That’s why I say CoM proves Cloud was looking for Aerith.
When Sora first met Cloud, he assumed Cloud was looking for someone important (taisetsu). If Sora made the conclusion that Cloud was looking for someone he considered his light, then it further validates that Cloud really was looking for Aerith, not Sephiroth.