I'm skimming Case of Tifa again...

I like that it mentions one of Tifa's motivations for joining Avalanche really was revenge, plain and simple. I'm also surprised how much of it is just, showing how much Cloud's and Tifa's relationship does not work.

The novel starts after its end, the rest of it is told through flashback, Cloud has been gone, and Tifa has absolutely no idea where he is, he hasn't contacted her at all. She knows he's still alive just because she has heard from other people who have seen him. ("“I wonder where Cloud is.” Tifa didn’t know and put her hand on her neck. Cloud was in Midgar somewhere. She imagined how the worst could have happened as he was caught in an accident where he went to work or he was being attacked by some monster. But she soon found out that he was still out there on jobs. There were people who had seen him. He just left the house, that’s all.")
Tifa gets mad when Cloud wants to be alone. ("Cloud was drinking alcohol even though he rarely did. He drained his glass. Tifa thought about it before going over and filling his glass. “Shall I join you?” There was something she wanted to talk to him about. “I want to drink alone.” Hearing that, Tifa lost control and said, “Then drink in your room.”)
Marlene notices Tifa and Cloud aren't getting along... ("As Marlene wondered if Tifa was listening or not, she told Barret in a sad voice, “Cloud and Tifa aren’t getting along very well.”)
Even though Tifa makes an effort to hide it from Marlene and forces herself to talk to Cloud. ("Tifa forced herself to talk to Cloud. When Marlene was near, she would pick something positive, something that wouldn’t turn the conversation into a serious matter.")
This deserves repeating, Tifa, forces herself to talk to Cloud!
Cloud doesn't answer at all when Tifa asks about him feeling like the family they have in 7th heaven "isn't enough". ("“Even though we’ve been together for some time?” “Maybe that just isn’t enough.” “Even we aren’t enough for you?” Cloud didn’t answer. “Sorry for asking some strange things.” “Don’t apologize. It’s my problem.” Cloud closed his eyes. “Let’s work hard together.” Tifa waited for his answer, though she couldn’t hear it even if she waited until the morning.")
Cloud went to Aerith's church and assumed Tifa would be mad, so he hid it from her. ("Cloud was making a face like a kid who thought he would get scolded. “Tell me. I’ll decide whether I’m angry or not after I listen.” Cloud nodded and continued. “Denzel had collapsed in front of Aerith’s church. That’s why I thought Aerith lead him to me.” Saying all that in one breath, Cloud looked away. “You went to the church.” “I didn’t intend to hide it from you.” “You did hide it.” “I’m sorry.”)
Cloud was also embarrassed to tell Tifa that he thinks Aerith brought Denzel to him. To which Tifa says Aerith brought Denzel to their home.
Cloud leaves 7th heaven/their home after this conversation.
Reader and Tifa are left wondering was Cloud's smile to Tifa fake. ("Aerith brought Denzel to our home.” Cloud gazed at Tifa and finally smiled. Days after having that conversation, Cloud left. Tifa wondered if that smile he showed her was an illusion.")

..Sorry this is a long post, but I just find it sad and love triangle kind of funny after reading this+Nojima's comment on premise of Case of Tifa, that even without Geostigma or Sephiroth they could have same problems...

it's pretty ship sinking in my opinion.

#Case of Tifa #random ramble #Final Fantasy VII #cloud and tifa #no hate here