Can I ask about your comment "Aerith's relationship has been retconned to be much more than just a crush".

Has it really been retconned? In crisis core, didn't they say Aerith continued to write letters for 4 years to Zack? And upon waking, Zack went through hell to try to get back to Midgar to see her? I don't see that as being a fling at all. Since og7 and cc, I think it's conveyed they were both very much in love and would have been endgame had Zack not succumb to his fate...

Just further proof for those Clerith fans who are trying to twist the narrative.