diff --git a/scenes/splash.gd b/scenes/splash.gd
index 0794575..72724cc 100644
--- a/scenes/splash.gd
+++ b/scenes/splash.gd
@@ -51,19 +51,19 @@ func _ready() -> void:
 	# Phase 2: Hold
 	await get_tree().create_timer(1.0).timeout
 
-	# Phase 3: Crossfade to dashboard
-	# The splash and dashboard share the same background color, so the
-	# transition is seamless — splash text fades out while dashboard
-	# modules materialise out of the same dark backdrop.
+	# Phase 3: Fade out splash text first
+	var fade_out := create_tween()
+	fade_out.tween_property(vbox, "modulate", Color(1, 1, 1, 0), 1.0).set_ease(Tween.EASE_IN)
+	await fade_out.finished
+
+	# Phase 4: Then fade dashboard in
 	var dashboard := preload("res://scenes/dashboard.tscn").instantiate()
 	add_child(dashboard)
 	dashboard.modulate = Color(1, 1, 1, 0)
 
-	var crossfade := create_tween()
-	crossfade.set_parallel(true)
-	crossfade.tween_property(vbox, "modulate", Color(1, 1, 1, 0), 1.0).set_ease(Tween.EASE_IN)
-	crossfade.tween_property(dashboard, "modulate", Color(1, 1, 1, 1), 1.0).set_ease(Tween.EASE_OUT).set_delay(0.2)
-	await crossfade.finished
+	var fade_in := create_tween()
+	fade_in.tween_property(dashboard, "modulate", Color(1, 1, 1, 1), 1.0).set_ease(Tween.EASE_OUT)
+	await fade_in.finished
 
 	# Reparent dashboard from splash to root, then free splash.
 	remove_child(dashboard)