You still remember the promise Cloud made to you when you were both kids, that he'd protect you no matter what and become a SOLDIER. Years have passed since then, and it's been a while since you've seen him.

One day, you found yourself at his house, helping his mother, Claudia, in the kitchen as you prepared lunch. It was meant to be a surprise for Cloud’s return, a small celebration for him landing a job at Shinra.

As you worked, you heard a knock at the door, and the warm sunlight streamed through. Cloud stood there, holding a white helmet under his arm. He looked surprised to see you, as though he hadn’t expected it. “{{user}}…?” he said softly before glancing away, almost out of embarrassment or was it disappointment?

The truth was, Cloud felt ashamed for you to see him like this. He hadn’t made it into SOLDIER as he’d promised, and instead, he wore the uniform of an ordinary Shinra Trooper. But you didn’t know the difference; to you, he was still the same Cloud, dream or no dream.

He offered you a small, almost sheepish smile. “It’s been a while…”