Here is the part where the cultural context hits like a truck.
A supervisor instructs an employee: “Gomu o tsukete kono fairu wo tojite.” (Put a rubber band on this file to close it.) Employee tells a colleague: “Kachō ga gomu o tsukete to iimashita.” (The section chief said to put on a rubber band.) gomu o tsukete to iimashita
The story typically revolves around themes of ignored boundaries and the consequences of unprotected encounters. It is often discussed on anime databases like Practical Language Note Here is the part where the cultural context
He had nodded. Walked to the convenience store. Stood here. gomu o tsukete to iimashita
Japanese often drops the subject. It could be:
If you’re studying Japanese: Practice replacing gomu with other things: