CAROLS
| 初めて会った日を 今も覚えている？ 照れたように君はうつもいて 身を反らしてばかりだったね |
Do you remember the first day we met even now? You looked abashed, hanging your head And turning your eyes away |
Tifa and Cloud may not have been as close as children as they initially claimed to be, but that doesn't change the fact they have formed a strong friendship in the present.
Saying they are "friends" is actually a little misleading. Their bond exceeds the boundaries of a conventional friendship. They share a home together, they work together, and they raise children together. She understands him better than anyone else.
| その仕草をとても 愛しく思うように なったのはいつの頃だったかな なんだか懐かしいね |
I wonder when such a manner became so dear to me It makes me feel a little nostalgic Don't you feel so? |
When they first begin to rebuild after Meteor, Tifa finds herself unconsciously comparing Cloud's actions to those of a child. He is experiencing real -- normal -- life for the first time, and it takes all of her will power to hide a smile or prevent herself from laughing. She loves being the one to help him get back on his feet; it makes living with her own burden more bearable.
However, after Denzel is adopted into their family, Tifa's view begins to change. No longer is he a big kid learning the ways of the working world, but a young father balancing his business and spending time with his two children. She likes him more as a father, she thinks.
| 白い雪が街を染める頃にも 君の側にいさせて 私これからも 困らせてばかりかもしれないけど |
When the white snow colors the city Let me stay by your side Though I may bother you Again and again |
Living in close quarters makes the occasional disagreement inevitable. They have their arguments, their silent periods only broken by forced conversation for the sake of Marlene, and sometimes she's admittedly shorter with him than she should be.
When Cloud abandons them, running away from his responsibilities to die alone, Tifa confronts him with almost explosive force. She can't take it anymore, and the silence he replies with almost kills her. What is she supposed to do? She knows he might bother her sometimes -- like now, as he stands by his absurd logic -- and she'd be foolish not to acknowledge that she sometimes rubbed him the wrong way, but she still loves him. Why can't they try to work things out? Why can't they face their fears -- not to mention everything else life feels like throwing them -- together?
| 分かり合えないまま すれ違った日も 涙の日 そして笑顔あふれれ日も そうどんな時だって どんな君であっても いつも受け止めるよ |
The days we couldn't understand each other and parted The days of tears, the days of smiling faces Whatever may happen whatever mood you may be in I'll always accept you |
Of course Cloud and Tifa have always had their differences. Petty arguments and monumental disagreements come with any kind of relationship, and there's no denying both Cloud and Tifa have had to deal with plenty of trouble in their past. In the end, however, they care about one another, and the values they share still hold them together.
As Cloud races to meet Bahamut SHIN when it takes flight, he meets Tifa towards the structure's top. Even in their current state of free-fall, their determined gazes meet, and an understanding passes between them. No matter what he does -- stupid mistakes and all -- she will be there to back him up, and he will do the same for her.
Inspired by Ayumi Hamasaki's "CAROLS" (MY STORY ); popular unofficial translation courtesy of Divine Ayu.
NEVER EVER is a fansite designed and maintained by Stacey Anne and is in no way affiliated with Square Enix, Sony, Ayumi Hamasaki or Avex. No infringement is intended with the making of this site; this is just the work of a fan wishing to share her appreciation. All lyrics featured on the site written by Ayumi Hamasaki; translations courtesy of Divine Ayu and Centigrade-J.