Chapter 27: Aerith and the Gang

(Note: This chapter contains post-game spoilers for some FF7R characters, so please be careful if you haven't played it yet!)

"Aren't you tired from touring so many places all at once?"

"Nope, I'm totally fine! Plus, it's fun getting to see where you usually work, Zack."

I'm walking all around the Shinra Building with Zack. Originally, the plan was to look for the room I lived in back then and search through old documents to learn more about my mom and dad. But since we were already here, I wanted the two of us to look around and explore.

We saw the exhibition room with all sorts of displays, and the planetarium where you can see a sky full of stars even in the middle of the day. We even had lunch where Zack and the others usually eat; I ended up thoroughly enjoying the sightseeing.

It's nice to have a date like this once in a while.

"Ah, crap, look at the time! I'm making Sephiroth wait!"

"It's awful to keep him waiting when he specifically made time for us. Let's hurry."

The Science and Research Division, where my dad used to work. It seems you need all sorts of clearance to get in, and honestly, I'm a little scared to go inside. It's the place my mom was constantly confined to when I was little.

Being considerate of that, Zack has stayed by my side the whole time, and apparently, Sephiroth even took the day off just to show us around today. We had made an appointment for when Sephiroth was free and were supposed to meet up at the rendezvous point, but I completely forgot to check the time.

I mean, the night view from the entrance was just so beautiful, I couldn't help but be captivated by it.

Zack and I hurriedly took the elevator up to our destination floor, and Sephiroth was already there waiting for us.

"My bad, Sephiroth. Did we keep you waiting?"

"If this were a training day, I'd order you to do 100 squats. But since you're escorting your girlfriend, I'll make a special exception and let it slide."

So this is Sephiroth. I'd heard about him from Zack, but this is my first time meeting him like this. But it feels somewhat strange. Even though this is our first time meeting, it feels like I've seen him somewhere before.

Zack stepped between Sephiroth and me, and then they guided us toward the Science and Research Division. The researchers we passed smiled and greeted us. It had a much gentler atmosphere than I had imagined.

"What's wrong, Aerith?"

"Nothing, it's just... the image I had of this place is a bit different from reality."

When I told Zack that, he gave a big grin. Then, patting me on the head, he said:

"It'll be fine. I'm right here beside you, so even if something happens, you'll be A-OK. Plus, we've got Sephiroth with us as a bonus."

"Hey now, am I just a bonus?"

Sephiroth laughed at Zack's joke.

"I'm totally fine too! Oh, look, look! Cloud is over there!"

"Yo, Cloud!"

"Zack!"

I was about to drop Chadley off at the Science and Research Division when I spotted some rare guests.

"Arere, is the lady next to Zack-senpai his rumored girlfriend?"

"Oh right, I haven't introduced you to Elena yet."

"Nice to meet you, I'm Aerith."

Since they're girls around the same age, they seem like they'll hit it off. They'll probably become friends without Zack or me needing to mediate. I don't really understand girls their age, but they're already shaking hands and seem to be having a lively chat.

"It's been a while, Cloud."

"Sephiroth?! It's rare to see you in a place like this."

It's been since we were together in Rocket Town. I tend to visit various divisions quite often, but I rarely have business with the SOLDIER Division, so it feels like it's been a long time since we met like this.

"I'm on escort duty for her today." He answered, turning his face toward Aerith. "We can't exactly have a woman walking around the Science and Research Division alone. Besides, there's no telling what the director here might do if he spots Aerith."

"Aerith?"

"Actually, my mom was from a race called the Ancients..."

Listening to Aerith's story, it seems her mother was an Ancient, making Aerith the sole surviving descendant carrying their blood. I'd learned the basics of Planetology under Lady Scarlet. They were a race that cultivated the Planet, recognizing the Lifestream and drawing knowledge and technology from it to prosper long before Shinra ever discovered Mako.

They were thought to have dwindled in number and gone extinct due to a meteor impact. However, a recent new theory published by Cosmo Canyon suggests they actually went extinct after losing a battle for survival against a different species.

"The Promised Land—a place where it's said that supreme happiness and tranquility await all who reach it. Finding it is one of Shinra's main objectives. Apparently, Aerith can hear the Voice of the Planet. If Professor Hojo were to capture her, who knows what he'd do to her."

"What is it exactly like to hear the Voice of the Planet?" Elena asks Aerith.

"How should I put it... It's literally hearing the Planet's voice. Or rather, hearing a voice that normal people can't hear."

"In current academic theory, the general interpretation is that one is hearing the memories of the people of this Planet who have returned to Mako—that is, the Lifestream."

Chadley, who hadn't joined the conversation until now, answers.

"I haven't seen your face much around here. Who are you?"

Sephiroth asks, stepping in front of Aerith as if to shield her. He is clearly wary of Chadley. I knew he wasn't fond of the Science and Research Division, but to think he'd be this guarded against Chadley, who belongs to it.

No, wait... could he have seen through the fact that Chadley is a cyborg created by Professor Hojo?

Unlike Lady Scarlet, who realized his true identity at a glance, Elena and I still can't see Chadley as anything but human. However, Lady Scarlet allows him to come and go in the Advanced Weaponry Division, and he supports our training through the combat simulator. There is, of course, the possibility that he's a spy leaking information to Professor Hojo, but his ego is so genuine and good-natured that it's hard to believe Professor Hojo programmed it. He's completely fit in with Elena and me.

"Forgive my sudden intrusion. I am Chadley, a trainee in the Science and Research Division. Currently, I am assisting Cloud and the others in the Advanced Weaponry Division."

"Wow, you're smaller than me but so important!"

"W-Waah! Miss Aerith, please do not pet my head so suddenly! It is embarrassing!"

"Hehe, sorry. I just couldn't help it when I see someone working so hard."

"That's right, Chadley is a very hard worker! Big sister Elena will pet you too!"

As Chadley blushes from Aerith petting him, Elena teases him further by ruffling his hair. Sephiroth's blatant attitude had created a slightly awkward vibe, but thanks to the blushing Chadley and the two girls, the atmosphere softened.

(Senpai, Sephiroth is acting weird. What should we do?)

Elena slips her hand behind her back where only I can see, asking for instructions via hand signals. Just as Elena noted, I don't know if it's because Aerith is a descendant of the Ancients, or if it's something about Aerith herself, but Sephiroth seems unusually on guard. However, intervening now would just make things weirder. We have no choice but to wait and see.

"By the way, didn't you have business in the Science and Research Division?"

"Oh, right. If you don't mind, Cloud, could you guys tag along? Aerith will probably feel safer with people she knows around. Plus, you know Professor Hojo is absolutely not kind to visitors."

"Yeah, he's not exactly the type to be friendly to outsiders. Alright, we'll come with you. Having another girl like Elena around will probably be more reassuring anyway."

Perhaps Aerith knows about Professor Hojo; she looks a little frightened. At the very least, if we're there, Professor Hojo won't be able to brush them off completely. It's best to take Zack up on his offer.

"Thank you, everyone, for doing this for me."

Aerith bows her head to us. It's a famous rumor within Shinra that she's Zack's girlfriend. So, even though the folks in Science and Research have a few screws loose ethically, I doubt they'd lay a hand on her. Still, if it gives her peace of mind—and considering I owe Zack a lot—I want to grant her request.

"Alright then, let's all go on a tour of the Science and Research Division!"

"Don't yell so loud and disturb people's work, Zack."

With Zack and Sephiroth leading the way, we head into the Science and Research Division. Elena walks right beside Aerith. As Chadley and I start walking behind the two of them, he grabs my sleeve and secretly whispers to me.

(Mr. Cloud, if you would like, could I help look into what Miss Aerith wants to know, keeping it a secret from Professor Hojo?)

(Are you sure?)

(Yes. You and the others clear the simulations I prepare so quickly that I am now able to secretly defy Professor Hojo without him noticing.)

It seems Professor Hojo maximized the capabilities Chadley needed for research, but in exchange, installed a program so Chadley couldn't disobey him. It even came with a bonus—powerful protection against external access, just in case Lady Scarlet tried to remove it.

However, Hojo apparently never anticipated that Chadley would remove the program himself. Through his continued contact with us, Chadley formulated a hypothesis to override the programming and executed it. Every time Elena and I cleared a simulation battle, Chadley applied patches to improve his own functions, and the other day, he finally broke through the programming.

He was designed to be incapable of taking actions outside his orders. However, since his original directive was to independently research my potential for growth, Chadley's victory was achieved by operating strictly within those constraints.

Even now, he pretends to obey Professor Hojo on the surface, feeding him just enough information, but he could escape at any time. The reason he stays in the Science and Research Division is that his current position is convenient, he wants to cooperate with us, and he doesn't actually hate his creator, Professor Hojo, that much. Surprisingly, his relationship with Professor Hojo isn't bad either; he seems to be valued more than the other staff.

(In exchange, please share the data from the meals you eat with Miss Elena again.)

As a cyborg, he can't eat or drink, but if we provide the data, he can apparently experience the taste in a virtual space. Every time Elena and I go out to eat, we gather data using a special device.

I informed Lady Scarlet of the truth, and she even promised to shelter him in the Advanced Weaponry Division if anything happens. Chadley has completely settled in with Advanced Weaponry. Nowadays, he and Lady Scarlet brainstorm new ideas and develop new weapons together. I'm a little jealous, but he's being useful to Lady Scarlet, and he helps me out too.

(Got it. We're planning to go to a dessert buffet together soon, so I'll do my best to get data on every single item.)

(Wow! Sweets are wonderful, aren't they? I finally understand why you all want to eat them after research.)

Elena invited me, saying we should go eat at various places for Chadley's sake too, but I'm the one paying. Well, Elena works hard, so it's only natural for me to pay as her boss, and as a way of thanking them both for everything they normally do.

"Hey, hey, what were you two whispering about?"

"I was just listening to Cloud and Elena talk about the dessert buffet they are going to for their date."

"Wow, you two are dating! So lucky! I want to go with Zack too, tell me which place it is!"

"Roger that! I'll email Zack-senpai the details later. We plan to conquer every item on the menu, so I'll add our top recommendations too!"

"Thanks, Elena!"

Aerith pleading with Zack, and Elena hyping up the conversation. For some reason, Sephiroth is wary of Chadley. It would be great if Elena or I could ask Aerith what her goal is here later.

Also, while she's great at keeping the conversation going, the flow of the chat has somehow solidified the idea in Aerith's mind that Elena and I are dating. I want to clear up the misunderstanding, but Aerith has completely taken control of the conversation and is bombarding Elena with questions.

"Good grief, why do girls love talking about romance so much?"

"Apparently, that is the essence of a woman's heart. I am not well-versed in the subject myself, but an old friend used to speak of it often."

"A friend of Sephiroth's, huh... As for me, I'm quite curious about this person."

"I suppose Cloud has never met him. This is under a gag order, but I suppose there is no harm in speaking of it. I, too, wish to brag about my best friends from time to time."

That's when we got to hear about Genesis and Angeal, two senior SOLDIERs Zack had mentioned before. I'd heard their names from Professor Hojo and fought them in simulations, but hearing about them from Sephiroth, who was their colleague, made me feel a much stronger sense of affinity with them.

"So when did you start having feelings for Cloud, Elena?"

"Come on, enough about me! Please, tell me about when you met Zack-senpai!"

"Ah, come on! Both of you, save that talk for later! More importantly, what does our hero think of his juniors getting girlfriends one after another?"

Zack calls out, but Sephiroth answers nonchalantly.

"It is a heartwarming thing. Combatants, not just SOLDIERs, live side-by-side with danger. Treasure them."

"Nah, I'm more interested in the fact that Sephiroth doesn't have anyone he likes. Do you even have a type?"

"Let me see... If there were someone who could fight me as an equal, I suppose my interest would naturally be piqued."

"That just sounds like you want a sparring partner."

Even in Sephiroth's mind, it's now established that Elena and I are dating. We rarely meet, and I have a feeling I completely missed the timing to clear up this misunderstanding...

Author's Note:

In the story, when Aerith and Sephiroth speak of "hearing the Voice of the Planet," the kanji 聴く (listen attentively) is used, whereas for other characters, 聞く (hear) is used. This is not a typo! I intentionally used the former expression for those capable of hearing the Planet's voice, and the standard one for those who cannot!

It feels a bit like a spoiler, but if I didn't write it out, everyone would probably want to correct it.

Chadley's part also borders on spoilers, but it's a necessary setting, so I'm revealing it here.

By all means, please play the Remake version—it's really fun!

Finally, Aerith makes her appearance with actual lines of dialogue!