If he's interested in me as a friend or more?

[Confused Girl]

Hello everyone! I've a situation that come off as confusing (to me).

There's this guy I've been friend with, we know each other for quite a long time, maybe 3-4 years, but we barely know anything about each other. We just know each other casually, rarely see each other, and talk and text when necessary from time to time, but that's it. We never really know about each other's background apart from the basic like where we lives. 

But then, I've started to notice some changes. It's all started during the pandemic, he started to text me first out of the blue even when we have nothing important to talk about. Our text gradually become from once a year, then once a month then once a week and now it's on daily basis.

And to add to the confusion, we share the same interest, which is gaming. At first the text was about the games that we played but then it slowly developed into family related issues, academic issues, but nothing too deep. And also, our text used to be so short, like 5-6 words at most, and he's always the one who end the conversation but now, the text had become a paragraph long (okay it's exaggerated), and he don't want the conversation to end, it's always me who said goodbye first. 

I don't know if this is only a friendly gesture or if he's interested in seeing me as more than friend or if he's just bored since it's the lockdown. Ooh, and not to forget, he always tease and bring up the topic of me and him being single. He also always replying to every single of my IG/whatsapp stories, and from there, the conversations keep going and it doesn't seem to stop.

And lately, we started to talk and play games everyday together. And he talks so gently like, he doesn't even talk like that with me in person, but now over phone, he's so polite, and he remembers every little detail I told him like my brother's and nephew's name, even when it's been so long since I told him the info .

Can you guys help me figure out if this means anything ? Because I have no idea what it is that he meant to portray, and I don't want to get ahead of myself by thinking that he likes me because I'm not sure of anything. Thank you in advance

[Sun Seeker]

Normally this all points to him just liking you as a friend, nothing he has done points to it being anything else.

On this occasion I can't help buy feel that he, and also maybe you, are very inexperienced when it comes to relationships? In which case, it is possible he is too scared/shy to try to take it any further in case he gets rejected, which inexperienced people normally don't know how to handle.

Right now, if you do like him, then just ask him if he wants to meet up for a drink or a bite to eat. Simple. You will then have your answer.

Let us know how it goes.

[Confused Girl]

I don't know if he's inexperienced or not because he had a girlfriend before but they broke up like 4 years ago but that's totally me because I never dated anyone before. Thank you for enlighten me on this topic because I really have no idea of what is happening😂 I do like him but I'm not sure if I really see him as more than a friend or not. Right now, I can't ask him to meet up yet because it's total lock down here and he lives 100 miles away from me. Maybe if there's any updates, I might be asking some questions here again. 

[d0nnivain]

It is completely impossible to tell.  If he asks to go on a date it means something.  Until then it could go either way.  If you want it to be something, interject some flirtation in here.  

[glows]

Considering he's 100mi away from you, are you sure you want this to turn into something more romantic? The chances of him (or you) finding a local partner is high. You will be the friend on the sidelines. I think he's being friendly only. Keep in-touch with your local friends.