<human>: I started university at the end of September, and met a girl who became my friend. For a while now, she has been showing signs of interest, flirting etc. but I never did anything (despite me liking her) because I felt that it would become too complicated with us both being friends and on the same course. 

She started dating this other guy in the department, but broke it off after about a month (about the end of January). A few weeks ago, she told me and our other friend [18 M] that she wouldn't date in the department again, just because she didn't want another situation like what happened with the previous boyfriend. Despite this, she has continued being 'playful' with me, and I am not sure how to go forward with this.

I don't want to jeopardise our friendship, but at the same time I want to know what the deal is between us. How do I approach the subject with her when I am not really 100% that she is actually interested (rather than that just being her usual manner, I have previously mistaken over-friendliness with flirting :p).

Can you succinctly summarize the text in 1-3 sentences?
<bot>: Friend from university has continued to flirt with me despite saying she doesn't want a relationship within the department. How do I go about asking her?