A few things I have noticed and some questions.
I played through trying to get some extra money together and the game proceeded as though I had changed. Even though I found the item when cleaning, I was avoiding college so I did not get the item from Heather. The motivation to go to the basement started on time but it was still locked so I could avoid. I also got the conversation with step sister a day or two later as if I had changed.
When I did see Heather again everything went instantly. Might want to either force the player to go to college or prevent the plot from proceeding until they do.
Do you have a discord?
Is there a Patreon or Subscribestar?