With the rewatch, I'm fairly certain now of the actual intrepetation why Ash was crying in the end
Definitely not coz of his dad lol, his reaction was more of an "Oh well, that happens" then actually being upset. It definitely ties into what Haruto's mom said,
"Ever since losing him, I've begun taking joys in these simple things. Now, I don't forget to say to even the most simplest of joys, Thank you"
Haruto saying how he basically had the same dream as Ash, "I want to grow up and befriend more Pokemon and explore and battle"
Haruto was basically Ash, wanted to go on the journey Ash did. As Ash flashed back to Haruto's Mom words, he says to Pikachu "Thank you"
And so, when eating Delia's food, I'm pretty sure his own mother's love reminds him of Haruto's mom, now telling even the simplest of joys, 'Thank you', which includes the croquettes he's eating and all the other joys of his life that allows him to journey the life Haruto also wanted, the gratitude for having what he has pouring out in the form of tears......
This was such a beautiful episode (Although it will never not be funny how superficial certain people were to be like "this is the best episode in six years" all coz of the freaking artstyle change going back to the roots lmao when the same themes, stories and Ash's characterisation and heart and soul have been abundant in the last six years).
This episode also makes me no longer feel bad and sad for Delia like I used to. The way she talks about Ash's dad, the way she sees Ash snoring in bed with Pikachu and tucks him in and sees him roaring to go on his new journey (along with how she was in JN's finale), she's at peace with herself. This IS what she wants, to see her son never give up on that dream of his and continue journeying and finding joys now that he's a Pokemon trainer. Delia truly is the best and most selfless mom <3, she not only is allowing and supporting Ash's journeys, but is at peace with it.
This was such a good Ash episode honestly, and a great standalone episode to show to any new person you might know to explain why you love Ash and Pokemon as a whole.
This is the last episode I'm rewatching before the finale of Ash and Pikachu later today ....... might do a whole rewatch of the anime though starting from OS some time after Ash's finale ends and we've digested it. I guess we'll see how much free time I'll have
I'll miss you Ash......For all the simplest joys you've provided me throughout my life that I always took for granted that comfort....THANK YOU!