You know that the meaning of "daisuki" (大好き) depends on the context, right? How come Zack understood Marlene's message as romantic, but you didn't?

@angelus_da55800 Because Aerith herself clarifies her liking as specifically not romantic that very same chapter. Either way, it's clear the word is used with great ambiguity here and, clearly, the viewer is left with a different impression of the word than Zack.

@_FirstClassZack Where exactly is the clarification for it being not romantic? Because all I see is an Aerith who is aware of her (possible) fate and what it would do to Cloud and therefore hesitant to disclose her feelings. This is basically mirroring her resolution scene.

@_FirstClassZack The point is that the entire setup for Clerith is romantic in nature, so the scene with Marlene should be understood in this context. This is why the writers had Zack perceive it as such. Additionally, we know from On the Way to a Smile that Aerith loved Cloud.

@angelus_da55800 You are viewing the scene according to your biases - ie, you believe CA is romantic therefore this scene must be romantic - this putting the cart before the horse style of media literacy is exactly why Cleriths are bamboozled any time CT or ZA are validated.

@_FirstClassZack CA is definitely romantic. That's why I am looking at those scenes in this light. I'd say it's your biases which are the reason you simply cannot acknowledge what is being shown over and over again in the games, books and ultimanias.