This piece, fortunately, is the former one. But very unfortunately, it was largely mistranslated according to a user on mangaupdates. (mangaupdates.com/series/bzvaty1/getsuyoubi-no-tomodachi) As a native mandarin speaker I read it with the Chinese scanlation and I found completely different writing so I am confident to prove him right. Other than that, it is easy to be brought into tears if you read the original text. The rough translation about the peak moment in the last chapter is as follows,
"When you become an adult. If you, without a reason, suddenly, or occasionally, thought of me who is working in this small town, even just this, I would feel how fortunate I am.
"But if you, can get along with me who walks on the path, what a wonderful thing that will be.
"I fascinate such a thing."
The core of this work is the lines above, and the scene in the page. Everything else are the paths that led to them and take you away. Everything is said and unsaid. The ending leaves open to the readers, while both main characters no longer show up, as it is all about the uncertainty of the future and the wish to have someone by one's side. The indirect yet beautiful expression explains it all.
