Chapter 31: Tifa and Elena

Several years had passed since the last time I returned home.

The soil of my birthplace beneath my boots felt exactly as it did in my memories. Even this water tower remains in pristine condition—perhaps the Urban Development Department of Shinra has been diligent with its maintenance. It hasn't changed a bit since I was a child.

"There aren't any tall buildings around here. When I was a kid, I used to climb this tower all the time. The adults would always scold me for it."

"Heh, so even you had a rebellious phase, Senior?"

"Everyone’s like that when they’re kids. Besides, once the adults went to sleep, this place became our playground."

Being in the center of the village probably helped. Even now, the memory of the starry sky I saw from up there at midnight is burned into my mind.

This was the place where I first declared my ambition to join SOLDIER to someone other than my mother. In the end, I never made it into the program, but I ended up in a position even higher. Now, I lead an entire unit. It’s a life the 'me' from back then could never have imagined.

"So, where is this childhood friend of yours? The one acting as our guide?"

"The contact was made through Urban Development. She should be waiting for us at the Mayor’s house."

Tifa’s father will likely be there too. I’m not quite sure what face I should make when I see him. At the very least, I doubt he holds any warm feelings toward me. Still, I’m here on official business, and I expect them to treat me with professional courtesy.

"Are you... nervous? Is she really just a childhood friend?"

"Her father gave me a severe lashing once. I haven't spoken to him properly since then. I just don't know how to face them..."

"Oh, come on! Cloud-senpai, you’re the ace of Shinra’s Advanced Weaponry Experimental Unit. You’re my dependable superior! If you act like that, they’ll look down on us too."

Elena was right. If I carry this awkward energy, it’ll only make my subordinate uneasy. Ultimately, it would reflect poorly on the rest of the team.

"Thanks, Elena. I still lack the self-awareness of a unit commander. I need to pull it together."

"That’s the spirit! You're the senior I'm proud of, so stand tall!"

Encouraged by Elena’s words, I knocked on the door of the Mayor’s house.

"We’re from Shinra. I’m Cloud Strife."

"Coming! I’ll be right there!"

The voice that answered from within triggered a flash of memories. It sounded much more mature than it did back then, but there was no mistaking it.

The woman who stepped through the door was Tifa. She still carried the traces of her younger self, but she had grown into a stunningly beautiful woman. I found myself staring involuntarily before quickly snapping back to reality. If Elena hadn’t given me a light nudge in the back, I might have stood there forever.

Tifa looked just as surprised to see me.

"Cloud... it’s been a long time."

"Yeah. Long time no see."

I had heard she was working as a guide in the village, and I always figured she’d grow up to be pretty, but seeing her face-to-face after all these years... for a moment, I lost my words. I knew I should get straight to business, but this was the person I once shared my dreams of becoming a SOLDIER with—the person I made a personal promise to.

I’m hopeless. I’m fine within the walls of Shinra, but once I step outside, my communication skills are still a disaster.

"Alright, alright! Senior, you go pay your respects to the Mayor. I’ll get the details from our guide here."

"Right... Yeah, good idea."

Elena pushed me forward by the back. She didn’t need to use that much force, but I suppose that was her way of being considerate. It was probably better to let a third party like Elena handle the initial talk while I composed myself.

I want to talk to Tifa properly, but that can wait until the mission is over and we can relax.

"Hi there! Nice to meet you. I’m Elena, Vice Captain of the Advanced Weaponry Division’s Experimental Unit."

"Oh... hello. I’m Tifa. I work as a guide here in the village."

The childhood friend who left home so long ago had finally come back. I heard he didn't make it into SOLDIER, but he’s working for Shinra—the biggest company in the world—and apparently, he’s risen to a rank that rivals them.

He’s become so handsome. It’s not just his looks; he has this aura of confidence now. But that "Chocobo head" hair of his is exactly the same as it used to be.

Still... why? He felt a bit distant. Or maybe I’m just overthinking things.

"Straight to business: could you tell me more about the suspicious individuals you spotted in the mountains?"

"Yes. I climb Mt. Nibel regularly for my guiding work. I saw shadows of people who didn't look like locals or tourists."

Cloud went off to see the Mayor, so someone else is taking my report. I feel a little lonely. I thought I’d finally get a chance to talk to him...

But work is work. I’ll have a chance to talk to him later. For now, I need to focus!

Wait... is Elena-san interested in Cloud too? The way she looks at him... it's a bit suspicious.

What am I supposed to do?!

I thought a girl from a backwater village wouldn't be much competition, even if she was a childhood friend, but she’s a total knockout!

Those long, toned legs... she’s better looking than a professional model. It’s true that she climbs mountains for a living; you can tell by the way her muscles are developed. She definitely practices some kind of martial arts. And more importantly...

"And so... while I was... I saw..."

What is with the size of those breasts?!

She’s wearing light, functional gear that shows off her tight waist, which only emphasizes the "two fruits" sitting on top! Every time she moves, I feel like I should be hearing a sound effect. Her style is practically divine.

I’m the type that wears a suit and looks thinner than I am, and I’m not exactly small myself, but this woman is on another level! Having something that big attached to you must be a hindrance! If she tried the leg-work I do, she’d definitely lose her balance and fall over.

Has she been like this since they were kids? Cloud-senpai is a man, after all... does he prefer them big?

I’m trying to keep the conversation going, but it’s impossible not to look. What if Cloud-senpai comes back and just stares? I don't want to see him like that, but even as a woman, I can't help but look... so surely he will too...

"I see. So the monster population around the Mako Reactor is decreasing, and while the usual trails are unchanged, you found signs of someone entering the more secluded paths?"

"Exactly. I was worried someone might get lost trying to force their way up a non-tourist route, so I went to check it out myself..."

She’s so serious and polite. Her personality seems great too. The rivalry here is way too strong! Now that I think about it, Director Scarlet is also quite "well-endowed." Maybe that is Cloud-senpai’s type...

Ugh, I don't want to lose him! A girl this cute with a body like that and a nice personality? Any man would fall for her instantly!

"Understood. I’ve summarized the necessary information. Please act as our guide when we enter the mountain later. Report anything else you notice. If enemies appear, we will ensure your safety."

"Yes, thank you very much."

She’s so honest; I can't even find a reason to dislike her. I’m honest too, and I’ve been by the Senior's side ever since I started working, but still...

Zack-senpai’s girlfriend was cute, but this girl is a total dark horse. I’ve never seen a beauty like this.

If Cloud-senpai starts acting all lovey-dovey during the mission, I’m kicking him in the back! It’s bad manners to flirt with other women when you have a cute junior right here. Even Vincent-senpai said once that "one shot could be a misfire," so maybe one "accidental" kick is fine.

Knowing him, he’d probably block it even if it was a surprise attack, though...

Elena-san is amazing. She’s probably younger than me, but she’s so professional and capable. Since she’s the Vice Captain, she must be the one supporting Cloud every day.

It’s hard to tell under that suit, but her center of gravity never wavers. She’s probably stronger than me. I’ve been training in martial arts, and sometimes Zangan’s other students stop by the village to spar, but she might even be stronger than them.

She took notes diligently while listening to me. You can tell she has a great figure even through the sharp suit. She’s a "city girl" through and through. If a girl like that made a move on Cloud, he might just fall for it.

I’m not the type to assert myself, and I remember Cloud’s mother once saying she’d be relieved if he found a girl who could lead him by the hand. They seemed so close earlier—too close to be just colleagues.

I guess if you go to the city, you just forget about the girl you left behind in the countryside. Argh, no! Why am I being so negative?! Get it together, Tifa! You finally saw him again; he'll hate you if you act like this! Alright, get your head in the game, Tifa Lockhart!

I gave myself a mental slap to get focused. Cloud is here for work, so I have to be in "work mode" too!

"Elena, sorry for leaving it all to you..."

After finishing my greetings with the Mayor, I returned to Tifa and Elena.

"Whoa, Cloud! You actually learned how to act like a cool leader!"

"Right? He’s incredibly cool now! What was Cloud-senpai like back in the day?"

"Um, well, he was really shy and didn't talk to anyone much, but he was kind..."

"Shy?! No way! That’s the opposite of how he is now. During training, he’s like a demon, always charging in!"

It seems they’ve hit it off. I felt this same sensation the last time I came back to the village. I have a feeling some very embarrassing things were said while I was gone.

"Sigh... I take it the briefing is finished then?"

"See? Look at him acting all 'Senior-like'!"

"You're right. He seems so much more mature."

Should I give Elena a light tap on the head? Or should I praise her for establishing good communication with our local guide? Either way, I feel like my dignity as a man is being eroded.

Still, Elena and Tifa seem to have become friends while I was away, and Tifa looks much brighter now than she did a moment ago. Maybe this is for the best. With concerns about Jenova looming, I don't want everyone to be too tense. Perhaps I should relax my shoulders a bit too.

"Anyway... it really has been a long time, Tifa."

"Yeah. You grew up to be so dependable. Boys really do change if you don't see them for a while."

Tifa replied with the same smile she had years ago, her tension seemingly eased. She’s gone from the cute image I had as a child to a beautiful, mature woman.

Elena is staring at me intently. I know that look—she’s trying to see where my eyes are wandering. Too bad for her; reading an opponent’s gaze to predict their next move is a basic combat skill. By staring so openly, she’s making her intentions obvious. I can just use a "gaze feint" to trap her.

"Whoa... he’s not looking at her chest at all..."

Hey. I can hear you, even if you whisper.

Staring at a woman’s chest, or even glancing, is bound to make them uncomfortable. Learning where not to look—or how to look without being noticed—is a necessary skill.

When you work with the Turks or high-level units, you have to pay attention to these things. Sometimes women use their charms as a diversion, or hide dangerous items in places where a man might hesitate to look.

Director Scarlet’s outfits are... well, daring. She teased me relentlessly when I first started serving under her. I wish she’d wear something a bit more modest, but I can't deny that her style is part of her commanding presence.

Why do women like clothes that emphasize the chest?

Honestly, I never know where to put my eyes...