ScriptableObject data not persistent across scenes when ScriptableObject Asset is not selected

Steps to reproduce:

1. Open attached project "scriptableObject.zip" and scene "Main"
2. Enter Play Mode
3. In Game View, press the "Enter Town 1" button, then the "Enter" button
4. Observe Console window, and Assets -> Resources -> TownData ScriptableObject
5. Exit Play Mode
6. In Project window, select Assets -> Resources -> TownData ScriptableObject. Keep it selected for the remainder of the repro
7. Repeats steps 2-4

Expected results:
TownData ScriptableObject has four PersistentBuildingData objects, Console logs "Total towns in scriptable object: 4" in both scenarios

Actual results:
TownData ScriptableObject has correct data only when the Asset itself is selected. Otherwise, upon switching scenes, 0 objects are kept

Reproducible with: 2020.3.39f1, 2021.3.10f1, 2022.1.16f1, 2022.2.0b7, 2023.1.0a10

Reproduced on: Windows 10