[It would probably behoove Cloud to actually work out his own feelings before bringing Zack up, the way Aerith intended, but he can't get the thought out of his mind. He nods, still frowning.]

Then...that's the end of it. Isn't it? You love Zack. You 'like' me. You said it yourself, you...don't really know me. More than you even know. There's...it's more complicated than you think.

[As if it wasn't complicated enough just from what she's already said.

The idea of telling Aerith the truth, having to go through the whole humiliating explanation all over again, makes shame rise like bile in his throat. But she deserves to know. She needs to know who Cloud really is - or, at least, who he isn't.]