Humor me and try the following:
- delete config.ksc located in the "Ultimate Edition" program folder and try again
If that doesn't work, then continue to humoring me by trying the following:
- delete config.ksc once again
- rename the file "patch_hd.xp3" (also located in the "Ultimate Edition" program folder) to something else (such as "patch_hd.xp3_BAK")
- now try launching the VN
If somehow that actually works, then note that "high" quality mode will end up being disabled because that's what the file "patch_hd.xp3" is supposed to enable.