The ending reeks of the axe, more than anything else. I'd say what bothers me most is that there isn't a conclusive answer about Uta and Kaoru's life states, or rather that it's too vague, yet not vague enough at the same time. There's little doubt in me that the one to greet Uta at the door is Kaoru, but why and how are questions I'd like answers for; one question answered, two need answering arise as well. That is to say that the ending could have and should have taken its time some more and given some more fleshing out. At the same time, I do feel like some of the core issues/topics the manga tackled were handled rather neatly, and that its message(s) carry over pretty clearly, so it definitely could've been worse.
It does sour the overall taste of the manga, sadly. It was thoroughly compelling and tense throughout, only to be watered down by insufficient answers and vagueness. Still a 9/10 as far as I'm concerned, but to be fully honest, this sort of sour aftertaste sucks the most, in my eyes.
