Okay that is weird. It works when I launch from the game file folder but not when I launch from the Itch.io desktop client. Or at least the little Dempasoft logo appears. I think it's still skipping over scenes though.
I know this is late but for anyone else looking, as long as the logo is showing, you're fine. The two scenes don't happen until very late in the game, after the treasure hunt has ended.
