A man (or maybe a boy, since we're only in our early twenties) told me, "I like you, but I don't plan to pursue you." Does this mean he doesn't like me enough to pursue me? Or does he want to remain friends forever so as not to lose me? We were high school classmates, and I always thought we were just good buddies. After high school, before I transferred to study abroad, he said that it was only then he realized he had liked me all along, but he didn't intend to pursue me. At the time, I had a boyfriend, and I always thought he was great; I had never considered my friend in a romantic way. Looking back on our interactions, he really did treat me well, and it didn't seem forced or fake.
Afterward, we maintained a good friendship, with a slightly ambiguous tone in our conversations (mostly playful teasing). Later, after I broke up with my boyfriend, I found myself completely falling for him. It's been like this ever since. He plans to come to graduate school in North America in a year and a half and even asked me where I wanted to study. I said, "XX University," and he casually replied, "Alright, I'll apply to that university too." There have been many comments like this, making me wonder if he intends to start something once he comes to North America. I'm unsure how to handle this relationship. I like him, truly like him, but we can't seem to break through this barrier. Should I wait for him for a year and a half? Or should I be more bold?
In fact, I hinted at my feelings for him a few days ago, and he knows. But we still can't progress to being a couple. I can't just outright ask him to be my boyfriend; he would likely joke around and say, "Aren't I already yours?" Additionally, knowing him as I do, he's someone who achieves whatever he sets his mind to. If he wants something, he gets it.