expression
more than a friend; beyond friendship
Implies a relationship that is closer than ordinary friendship, often with romantic or intimate overtones. Used as a set phrase, often followed by 恋人未満 (less than lovers) to describe ambiguous relationships.
彼とは友達以上だけど、まだ恋人ではない。
We're more than friends, but we're not lovers yet.
友達以上恋
We've been in a relationship that's more than friends but less than lovers.