Harutoki 5: Souji's Route

Souji, Souji, Souji.  I knew what was coming but I really was not expecting the ending.  I knew this route was going to be sad but I didn't know I'd get so attached to this character.  All the other routes he's sort of emotionless and I thought he'd be a lot like Yasuaki from the first game.  Ohhhhhh no no no.  Thanks game, thanks for taking my heart and ripping it right out again.  I thought I was ready for all the feels that I would be feeling this route but I was not.
So, story... You hang out with the Shinsengumi and fight the onryou with them.  Most of the conversations are like "Whoah Souji, are you okay?" after he has a coughing fit.  and he's always "Yeah, I'm dandy!  just fine! I'm a totally healthy human being or whatever" (not actual translation) At one point you notice that he hasn't been sleeping or eating.  He says he just has a cold and you can either sing him "rock a bye baby" or offer to make him homemade chicken soup.  So sweet but it's also sad to think he probably coughed it up later.  mmm...  A lot of the scenes have to do with him playing with kids which is really sweet.  There's a lot of kids in this route.
So, His coughing fits lead Yuki to believe he's sicker than he's telling her.  She has Shyun take him to the hospital in their world to check him out.  (Shyun confirmed for medical experience.) They get back to the house where shyun is all like "You tell her" and quickly walks away.  Then Souji asks if they could go outside and talk at which they arrive at a park where Yuki explains that kids play there.  He tries to tell her that he's actually really sick but I don't think it ever makes it out.  He just asks her to "use his life" give it meaning as a guardian.  They hold hands under the gazebo in the park and make a promise to watch the blossoms bloom in spring together.
Oh man, the ending. The ending.  I seriously wasn't expecting that.  After you defeat Amami and are about to back to your world, every one says their goodbyes and you ask Souji to go back with you and he says that he can't using the Shinsengumi as an excuse.  He goes into to kiss her, waits a bit at the lips (probably remembered that he coughs up blood a lot or that he might get her sick too) and then kisses her cheek.  He then tells her to close her eyes and count to ten like you were laying hide and seek.  He stars 1... 2... 3.. at which you pick up and go to ten.  You open your eyes and as expected... He's gone.
Whats worse is that the route goes to the credits with him looking really sickly out of his uniform sitting outside saying how perfect the weather is.  At this point I'm assuming he dies.  but I can't say for sure

Whats even worse is that after the credits, you go to see the blossoms at the park and he's there.  I have no idea how he's there but he is saying he kept his promise.  I know he wasn't reborn in her world because he has the same name.  If I know my story tropes, it's his ghost, but then again he has a body.  Does any one out there know what happened for him to be there?  did they ever explain it because I'm going to assume that it was a ghost.

Whooo, souji's route.  It was really easy to get and it was really romantic and sweet.  She ship teasing was fantastic and the chemistry was really strong between you two.  I know I just spoiled the whole surprise of the ending but it just was so.  gah.  so many feels.  It was so drastic because I did him last and every other guardian happily follows you home.  His story though doesn't end as happily.  All the other guys you save from death but his... his you just have to accept.  There's no way to fix it.  It was fun though.  It was a fun cry.

Gah, Now I have to go through Miyako's route.  I don't know why I feel so uncomfortable.  maybe I just feel more comfortable around feminine people?  Maybe it's the fact that you're cousins... but then again that's a cultural thing and I'm okay with it other places.  It's a combination of things. gah, I'm not looking forward to it.