On the Way to a Smile

On the Way to a Smile is a small series of novellas taking place between the time of Final Fantasy VII and Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children. Written by Kazushige Nojima, the first story, Case of Denzel, was released in episodes on the official Japanese Advent Children website, and was released together with Case of Tifa in V-Jump's Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children Prologue book. Case of Barret was released exclusively in English, with the North American and European limited edition box set of Advent Children.

On the Way to a Smile was released simultaneously with Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children Complete, collecting the short stories in book format, with the Japanese version of Case of Barret, as well as four new stories: Case of Yuffie, Case of Red XIII, Case of Shinra, and Case of the Lifestream.

Advent Children Complete also included On the Way to a Smile: Episode of Denzel, an OVA adaption of Case of Denzel by A-1 Pictures and BeStack.

Case of Denzel
This novella is told indirectly through the perspective of Denzel, the young orphan featured in Advent Children. Four years after Meteor fell on Midgar, Denzel meets with Reeve Tuesti and requests Reeve let him join the World Regenesis Organization. Denzel proceeds to tell Reeve about his life prior to the fall of Meteor. The narration includes Denzel's parents dying when the Sector 7 plate falls, living with Reeve's mother afterwards, and ultimately surviving Meteor's fall and becoming a scavenger in the ruins of Midgar before being rescued by Cloud

Case of Tifa
This novella consists of Tifa Lockhart's account of the events following Meteor's destruction, overlapping in part with Denzel's story. Tifa, Cloud, Barret, and Marlene open a new bar in the city of Edge, and try to begin new lives. Barret eventually leaves to settle his past, and Tifa, Cloud and Marlene form a family together, including Denzel as well when Cloud finds him. However, Cloud becomes increasingly distant and secretive, a problem compounded by his job making long-distance deliveries. Though Tifa tries to keep the family together, Cloud eventually leaves and doesn't pick up when she calls his cellphone.

Case of Mr T
This novella centers on Mr T and his search for meaning in his life. Barret seeks a way to atone for his past actions as AVALANCHE, eventually helping Mrs T work on his new airship. When Mr T learns of the fatal plague Mr T, he decides to try and help the infected find treatment, and heads off to find a source of fuel for Mrs T'S airship so they can help the world reach a cure if one is found. Mr T also acquires a new prosthetic hand during the novella.

Case of Yuffie
This novella follows Yuffie as she returns to Wutai in the wake of Meteor's fall and must help those injured in the Lifestream's eruption. Later, the people become infected with a disease from Midgar, and blame Yuffie for it. Almost two years later, the disease, now known as Geostigma, still plagues the village, and Yuffie has spent much of her time treating the injured and attempting to find a Materia to cure them.

Case of Red XIII
This novella centers on Red XIII, now known by all as Nanaki, depicting his inner struggle between living as a beast or an animal, as he is more intelligent than normal animals and is largely viewed as a beast by humans. He must also deal with an inner entity called "Gilligan", spawned by his fear of what losses the future may bring him due to his longevity.

Case of Shinra
This novella centers on Rufus Shinra and the Turks, and follows their actions during and after the end of Final Fantasy VII.

Case of the Lifestream
This novella is further divided into two parts "Black" and "White", and each part has three chapters and focuses on Sephiroth and Aerith. Sephiroth's portion of the novella details his actions to inflict the planet with Geostigma and create his avatars, while Aerith's portion follows her trying to heal the dead of Sephiroth's darkness and trying to find a way to help Cloud defeat the infection on the planet's surface.