Per wiki policy, Spoilers Off applies here and all spoilers are unmarked. You Have Been Warned.
- The initial meeting between Zack and Cloud in Modeoheim, bonding over being country boys from backwater towns.
- Angeal's death left a huge impact on Zack, and Aerith was there to comfort
him. - Cissnei's friendship with Zack taking priority over her orders to eliminate him.
- Sephiroth actually having friends in Angeal and Genesis to the point that he does his best to get out of missions that could involve him killing them and even fondly reminisces to Zack about a fight they had and regrets that Genesis got injured during it.
- During his flashback while Genesis was being treated, Angeal and Sephiroth were waiting for the results. After Hollander informs them that Genesis needs a transfusion, Sephiroth instantly steps forward to volunteer. After he's told that he isn't viable, Sephiroth rather forlornly asks "Why couldn't I be the donor...?"
- He then finds a friend in Zack and while they have a mutual respect for each other before everything goes to hell, Sephiroth does confide in Zack sometimes.
- When Sephiroth gives Zack permission to return to Midgar because there are reports of monsters in the slums, it's pretty clear that Sephiroth knows that Zack would be worried about his girlfriend (even if Sephiroth doesn't explicitly know that it's Aerith). That faintest hint of an indulgent smile on Sephiroth's face as Sephiroth reassures a flustered Zack that they'll meet again soon...
- Additionally, Sephiroth notes when he arrives on the scene that he was on his way to Modeoheim, but diverted to Junon when he heard Zack was there. He delayed arrival at his assignment just to stop by and tell Zack the situation, and let him know he should head home to make sure Aerith is safe.
- Zack and Aerith's entire relationship falls here, alongside Tear Jerker and this line from Aerith is what seals it.Aerith: I have 23 little wishes. But you probably won’t remember them all so I’m putting them all into one- I want to spend more time with you.
- Zack and Kunsel seem to have a strong friendship, with the latter even demonstrating Undying Loyalty and refusing to believe reports of the former's death.
- Zack can join his own fan club (run, or at least heavily contributed to by Cissnei) early into the second half of the game and is only the 12th member. By the end of the game, depending on actions Zack has taken, the fan club can have 1,024, 51,836, or 109,348 members by the time Zack is declared dead by Shinra when he's on the run. The fan club will get a final email with a message from either Zack's mother, "Black Suit" (Cissnei), or Aerith thanking the group for their dedication.
- Take a step back and think about the characters Zack met, and how he changed them.
- Tseng, the very definition of a Consummate Professional in a job where pragmatism is key, goes against orders to kill Zack and mounts an operation to save him instead. And he held on to 88 letters for him. Yes, he intended to give them to him personally.
- Cissnei helped Zack escape Nibelheim and Gongaga. After his death, she then left the Turks and stayed in Gongaga to watch over Zack's parents.
- Aerith built up the courage to go sell flowers topside, despise her fear of the sky.
- Cloud became happier as he worked with him. And while things get complicated, in the end, he still did become worthy of being Zack's living legacy.
