CORTISOL
Cortis x 6th member fem reader
Episode 1
( What's the group name?!?!)
The practice room smelled like sweat, lemon water, and defeat.
“AGAIN!” Martin shouted, clapping loudly even though he was panting harder than everyone else.
You groaned dramatically and flopped onto the floor.
“Martin, you are one broken ankle away from being muted,” you said, staring up at the ceiling like you were questioning life choices.
James burst out laughing as he stretched, wiping sweat from his forehead.
“You’re older than half these kids and the first one dying. Embarrassing.”
You threw your sweaty towel at him. “Shut up, old man.”
“Old—? I’m ONE year older—”
“EXACTLY,” you cut him off.
Keonho, the youngest, was practicing the chorus again in the mirror, mumbling to himself.
Juhoon was fixing the choreography counts. “Guys, on the second ‘what you want,’ y/n’s the center, so PLEASE stop crashing into her like trucks.”
Martin pointed at Keonho.
“That means you.”
Keonho gasped. “I DID NOT— okay maybe a little—but she’s small!”
“I’m literally older than you,” you said.
“You’re small emotionally,” he said back.
You launched your water bottle at him and he dodged like a ninja.
Sudden door slam.
The staff manager walked in with a tablet in her hand.
She looked serious.
Too serious.
All six of you froze.
James whispered, “If this is about the snacks we hid—”
You elbowed him.
“Shut up before she hears.”
The manager cleared her throat.
“I have an announcement.”
Everyone straightened instantly.
Juhoon whispered, “We’re getting kicked out. I feel it.”
Seonghyeon whispered back, “Same. I blame James.”
“WHY ME?” James whisper-yelled.
“Because you exist,” you replied, patting his shoulder.
The manager took a deep breath.
“BIGHIT has selected your official group name.”
“…OH??? WHAT?!?”
Chaos.
“NOOO WAY—”
“What is it?! Sunshine Boys??”
“Rainbow Glitter Team??”
“Is it Sparkle Six?? PLEASE SAY NO.”
“Manager-nim, if it’s something cute, we’ll riot.”
“Yeah we’re not debuting as Pinky Star DreamClub—”
Finally, the name dropped like a bomb.
“Your group name is: CORTIS.”
Silence.
Blank stares.
Keonho blinked.
“…huh?”
Juhoon scratched his head.
“Is that… a medicine?”
James snorted.
“Sounds like a keyboard brand.”
Seonghyeon looked unsure.
“Is it… a vegetable?”
Martin facepalmed.
“Guys—at least wait for the meaning.”
The manager continued:
“It’s derived from the phrase ‘Color Outside The Lines.’
Meaning: creativity, breaking rules, challenging limits.
It represents your identity as a team that doesn’t fit into the usual molds.”
All of you quieted.
Something clicked.
You lifted your head.
“…Color outside the lines…”
The phrase felt warm. Sharp. Brave.
James let out a low whistle.
“Okay… that’s actually sick.”
Seonghyeon nodded.
“Sounds like art.”
Juhoon grinned slowly.
“We ARE a little chaotic.”
Keonho finally smiled.
“And creative.”
Martin crossed his arms proudly.
“…It fits us.”
You stood up, brushing hair from your face.
“It fits me too,” you said with a little spark in your voice.
“We choreograph, we write, we break rules… We’re literally the definition of thinking outside the lines.”
James pointed at you.
“Yeah, you REALLY don’t stay inside lines. Or boundaries. Or normal human energy levels.”
“Shut. Up.”
But you were smiling.
The manager finally asked,
“So… do you like it?”
All six of you looked at each other.
And in perfect chaotic harmony—
“YEAH!! WE LIKE IT!”
Martin raised his fist.
“CORTIS… let’s show them what we can do.”
James smirked.
“Let’s give them exactly—”
Juhoon jumped in:
“—WHAT YOU WANT!”
You groaned.
“Okay, that was cheesy—BUT LET’S GO!”
All of you ran back to formation, excitement buzzing in the room.
The music started again.
And for the first time, dancing together felt like destiny.
