he did not choose to die. the meaning was lost in translation, but the wound was fatal. he would've eventually succumbed to it, and went to the library to read the rest of eiji's letter. despite all the near-death experiences, his cause of death is so insignificant, but eiji's words, that his soul will always be with him, grant him salvation and a last dose of happiness, and that's why he was smiling in the end. it's an incredibly bittersweet ending
he did not choose to die. the meaning was lost in translation, but the wound was fatal. he would've eventually succumbed to it, and went to the library to read the rest of eiji's letter. despite all the near-death experiences, his cause of death is so insignificant, but eiji's words, that his soul will always be with him, grant him salvation and a last dose of happiness, and that's why he was smiling in the end. it's an incredibly bittersweet ending