友とも達だち以い上じょう

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.

• 彼かれとは友とも達だち以い上じょうだけど、まだ恋こい人びとではない。