I think the message is also that Souji eventually overcame that urge to distance himself, in the true ending where Teddie is talking about everyone being connected no matter the distance. Souji looks at that photo with a lot of fondness. I think he's still probably somewhat of a distanced person because that's just how he is, but I think he overcomes his own fear of making connections, because he knows better than to think distance can break them, anymore.

God, that was cheesy, but so is the true ending...