ML Already Likes / Loves FL by Start of the 1st Episode

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1 - Noona

1 - Noona

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1 - Noona

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1

1

1 / 2

Between 1 and 2 - Noona

ML knew the FL when he was a little kid (more than just meeting her briefly once) and developed a crush on her then before moving abroad, and still remembers his feelings when he returns and recognizes her, but initially hides the fact that he knows her.

2 - Noona / childhood playmates

2 - Best friends

2 - Best friends since childhood

2 - Best friends

2 - Boss / employee

2 - Boss / employee

2 - Noona / good friends

2 - Noona

2 - Senior / junior at work. Technically noona but the FL is only one year older than the ML.

2 - Leads are already married as of the first episode

Probably not what you're looking for from this list. Disappointing husband.

2 - Boss / employee

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2 - A flashback shows that the ML and FL where childhood friends and the ML had a crush on the FL, but they have not seen each other since they were kids and the leads are adults in the first episode.

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2

2/3 - With some age difference related caveats.

3 - A flashback shows that the ML observed the FL in real life and developed romantic interest in her based on what he saw before he approached her in the game. The FL did not notice the ML at the time, but was aware of his identity in the game (as he was the top player in her server) and separately aware of his identity in real life (as he was a campus "idol" in her department (computer science) at university). But she was not aware that they were the same person.

3 - The ML and FL are described in the introduction as rivals, with the narrator noting that the ML always showed up where the FL showed up. The drama quickly shows that the ML shows up where the FL shows up because he has a soft spot / special interest in her.

3 - A flashback shows that the ML and FL met years ago in a high-stakes situation where the ML saved the FL's life and the FL risked her life to help the ML. They didn't even know each others' names but they each fell in love with the other. 

3 - I don't remember the exact details, but iirc the ML eventually reveals that he has had a crush on the FL since they were young?

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2/5

2/5

2/5