I don't get the after life part. And the bottles you mention, there is four of them and that is not only on the second from last page but also at page 45. I don't think the bottles are of any importance. The only difference in that page is at first the empty room after Tachibana's death and second Sakurako waiting for Tachibana in that room. The waiting part you mention is really nice. But I didn't think there's any afterlife. They lived their life together no matter what and in the second ending it just shows that Tachibana retired to spend the rest of his days with Sakurako, which is beautiful. In the second ending sensei didn't give us any death and also in the first shows us the predicted Tachibana's death leaving Sakurako alone with the manuscript who is prepared to meet him in afterlife. It's for us to choose which ending we prefer.
First of all i absolutely loved this story. It's not often i read or watch something that makes me happy, sad, heart broken and given the belief of love conquers all, ALL AT THE SAME TIME!!! *rapid breaths.....slow sigh* ╮(￣▽￣)╭ (that's better).
Now to on to the endings, i'm not going to lie i was a little confused to begin with so i thought about them then I re-read them haha.
In my opinion the first ending was exactly how i hoped i understood it better then the second. Asakura had kept Tachibana's last book which had the dedication to Asakura in and how he said he would see Tachibana soon and the relief when you realised they spent the rest of their lives together loved it.
The second one was a little harder to understand but i think i got it well my interpretation at least *rapid breaths again* i believe it is both of them together finally in the afterlife as such. What gave me this impression i hear you ask.... the second from last page at the bottom in the middle you see two bottles of (please correct me if im wrong as i'm afraid i love this stuff) marble soda a bit before this Tachibana gave Asakura one of the marbles from the drinks that he had held on to since childhood they said that no matter what happens they will have one each which will mean they are always together, the bottles in the bucket tell me that now they are together in the afterlife as it should be and that because they are together everything has been mended. i also believe the contrast between the endings is the first one Tachibana is waiting for Asakura to be with him and the second one is Asakura waiting for Tachibana thats why he's sitting there and Tachibana comes up behind him. Everytime they were separated one of them would always wait for the other. this fills my heart with joy *Sighs again* i appologise for this essay of words as once i start something i find it hard to stop i hope this helps someone well....i also hope someone reads it haha anyway forgive me again ╥﹏╥ for writing soooo so much *Bows once more*